event news

Outline Introduces GTO C-12 Line Source Array at InfoCOMM 2013

Outline S.r.l. introduces the new GTO C-12 Line Source Array Speaker System to the North American market at InfoComm 2013 (Booth 109). The GTO C-12 is completely derived from Outline’s larger-format, dual-15-inch GTO cabinet introduced in 2011, generating output power surpassed only by its larger sibling from an enclosure that is physically smaller and 30 percent lighter. From arenas to 500-seat theaters, the GTO C-12 is equally at home delivering maximum thunder for a rock concert or providing crystal-clear sound for a spoken-word performance.

“InfoComm attendees are welcome to stop by our booth to see the GTO C-12 and to join in our 40th anniversary celebration,” says Tom Bensen, senior vice president and managing director of Outline North America. “We engineered the GTO C-12 specifically to deliver high SPL with a sonic accuracy rivaling a recording studio environment for the smaller venue. The system is more lightweight than competing systems on the market, combining superior performance with ease of setup and hauling. The GTO C-12 will definitely find a home with permanent installation venues, sound companies and touring bands and shows.”

Incorporating its V-Power Concept and patented DPRWG Wave Guide, combined with the most advanced transducer technology available, the GTO C-12 carries the familiar high-resolution signature sound synonymous with the Outline brand and its family of world-renowned line array products. The GTO C-12 contains dual high-power 12-inch LF drivers, four 6.5-inch midrange units and two 3-inch throat-compression drivers. The cabinet is 21.6 percent smaller in the vertical plane than the larger GTO, whereas the overall cabinet weight has been reduced by 30 percent, representing a remarkable feat of design engineering. The use of a special aluminium alloy for the integral rigging hardware, originally developed by Outline for GTO, contributes to this major weight savings. This unique system also provides 12 different adjustment settings in the angle between connected GTO C-12 cabinets, adding further to the real-world flexibility and adaptability of the loudspeaker.

The concentration of power into a smaller and lighter enclosure has significant benefits in terms of transportation, storage, deployment, crew requirements and operational efficiency. GTO C-12 extends the Outline concept of ultimate system flexibility, not just because it is mechanically compatible with all the other GTO modules, but also because systems of virtually any size and power can be designed using the speakers. As the footprint of the new C-12 is exactly the same as all the other modules in the GTO range, the cabinets offer full mechanical compatibility with GTO, GTO-SUB, GTO-LOW and GTO-DF in terms of rigging, flying hardware and wheelboards. Further, Outline’s design team is currently developing a new lightweight flybar for the GTO C-12, transforming the product into a real game-changer, as using it will allow up to 12 GTO C-12 cabinets to be flown from a single one-ton fly point while staying within standard Safe Working Load restrictions.

“This single fly point is a big advantage for production companies that work in venues that only provide a single rigging point per side, or have low fly weight limitations,” continues Bensen. “Sound companies can now bring in an easy-to-handle, compact system that is quick to rig and de-rig, and requires only one motor per side while producing more than enough power to handle any event. A 12-cabinet per-side GTO C-12 main L&R system with a suitable complement of subwoofers (and infills if necessary) delivers the definitive combination of outright SPL, intelligibility and controlled coverage that makes the GTO C-12 the perfect go-to system for thousands of medium-sized venues throughout the world.”

13th June 2013

Adamson to showcase new Point Concentric and Energia family of products at Infocomm

Adamson Systems Engineering will be placing the spotlight on both the Point Concentric and Energia product lines at this year’s InfoComm in Orlando, Florida. Guests of the trade show will have the opportunity to hear the Point Concentric line for the first time ever in demo room W202c. In addition to the Point Concentric line Adamson’s Metrix line source and M series Monitors will be demoed for visiting guests.

On the main tradeshow floor Adamson will unveil the two new additions to the Energia Line for the first time in North America. The award winning e15 along with the new e12 and e218 will all be on display. This year also marks the thirtieth anniversary for Adamson, and to recognize the milestone their booth will include a display detailing the historical advances in loudspeaker technology that helped establish Adamson as a top brand in professional audio.

The Adamson Booth is located at Booth 815 and Demo Room W202c.

7th June 2013

coolux - New Pandoras Box Version 5.5 and Widget Designer Version 4.5

coolux, the creators of the award winning Pandoras Box product family will present the new Pandoras Box Version 5.5 at this year's InfoComm exhibition in Orlando, Florida and at the upcoming Showtech in Berlin.

coolux CEO Jan Huewel is keen to highlight the fact that both innovative new features and general user-friendliness lie at the heart of the new release:

"As the feature depth of our Pandoras Box family increases, it is very important for us to ensure that new users will find it easier to find their own unique way into the world of Pandoras Box. Version 5.5 offers ingenious features like the 3D projector calibration, the web browser & server integration, as well as extremely useful interface and usability changes that will make an operator’s or programmer's life a lot easier.

The feedback we've had from those professionals that have used our release candidate has been very positive and encouraging. This version is another step towards making it even easier for our customers to simply use their skills and ideas to create great beauty."

Interactive Content

Users can now access HTML pages and render them as so called Browser Assets in order to make them visible on graphic or video layers. It is also possible to make any layer react to mouse, touch and keyboard input. A new Pointer Layer is available for visualising mouse and touch events.

Web Server

The newly integrated Web Server adds the ability to host web pages on any Pandoras Box Master system. Furthermore it allows to remote control any Pandoras Box system via HTML pages. All PB Automation commands, known from the SDK, can now be executed directly via JavaScript.

Playlist

Playlists make it really easy to play a certain number of media files in a row without the need of programming separate containers on the sequence. This can be a huge time saver for producing slide shows or generating video playlists on the fly.

Warper with 3D Marker Calibration

In addition to third party 3D object import, it is now possible to attach so called 'markers' to them. All one needs to do is define a minimum of four points on a 3D projection surface, after which one can easily position the corresponding 2D markers. Based on the physical lens settings, the software will automatically generate the 3D projector position and orientation.

Watchfolder and Media Monitoring

Use automatic media management to speed up your content workflow. Any project folder can be set up as a so called watch folder. Once new content is added to that folder, it will be automatically distributed across the system to be instantly available.

Player Updates 4K and Particles

Pandoras Box software packages will now support 2D particle systems. The new 4K Playback support for Player PRO software makes this product the most cost effective 4K playback solution on the market.

New File Format Import

The new Warper now supports .3ds as well .fbx files.

All image processing tools now support JPEG2000 import.

 

The new Widget Designer Version 4.5, which will also be released shortly after the InfoComm exhibition, reflects the new Pandoras Box feature additions in many ways.

Tuio Input Support

Enhances compatibility with 3rd party devices software sensors etc.

Mouse and Touch Injection

Camera tracking, AirScan and/or TUIO inputs can now be used to let them directly interact with any Pandoras Box display output.

Gesture Support

Kinect, AirScan or other kinds of multi-touch applications can now involve gesture based actions like swiping etc. more easily.

Remote Tracking for Multiple Airscan, Camera and Kinect Input

It is now possible to collect touch data from a large number of input sources, in order to make massive multi device tracking scenarios even more precise.

New PB Menu and PB Remote

The new menu consists of an FTP Server and Client for managing or uploading files.
PB Remote now features advanced system monitoring and remote file management.

5th June 2013

Outline Celebrates 40th Anniversary at InfoComm 2013

Outline, S.r.l. continues its year-long 40th anniversary celebration at InfoComm 2013 (Booth 109). Formed in 1973 by Guido Noselli, a musician/engineer frustrated by the inability of sound systems at the time to deliver his performances accurately to audiences, Outline has grown to become a leading technical innovator in speaker and control system design. Capable of delivering studio-environment audio quality to live events, Outline is celebrating with the introduction of the advanced GTO C-12 Line Array Speaker System and its re-engineered DVS Powered Speaker Series at this year’s show.

“At the onset of our 40th Anniversary in 2013, Outline has become the system of choice for the highly regarded Warner Theater in Washington, D.C. and the historic jazz club, Little Gem Saloon, in New Orleans,” says Tom Bensen, senior vice president and managing director of Outline North America.

“In addition, the Production Resource Group (PRG), one of the largest production services companies in North America, employed a massive Outline GTO Line Array, Mantas and Butterfly-driven sound system for the recent Andrea Bocelli performance in the BB&T Center, the largest indoor arena in Florida. The tour will use the Outline system when it begins again in June 2013. InfoComm attendees are welcome to stop by our booth to see a live demonstration of the GTO C-12 and join in the celebration.”

Outline’s unabated determination over the last 40 years to produce the finest professional loudspeakers systems available continues at InfoComm with the US launch of the all-new GTO C-12. With its technology completely derived from the larger-format, dual-15-inch GTO (first introduced in 2011), the GTO C-12 produces output power surpassed only by its larger sibling from an enclosure that is physically smaller and 30 percent lighter.

Incorporating its V-Power Concept and patented DPRWG Wave Guide, combined with the most advanced transducer technology available, the GTO C-12 carries the familiar high-resolution signature sound synonymous with the Outline brand and family of world renowned line array products.

Also featured for the 40th anniversary celebration will be the new, re-engineered DVS powered speaker series, which includes iMode remote monitoring and control, with the DVS 12P and DVS 15P now fully bi-amped via twin internal amplifiers.

5th June 2013

Alcons Audio USA returning to InfoComm 2013

Attending for the second time in her existence, Alcons Audio USA will be showcasing a wealth of audio innovations, based around the company’s patented Pro-Ribbon technology and its ongoing pursuit of audio perfection.

Taking place from June 12 - 14 in Orlando, Alcons Audio will be present both on the show floor, exhibiting, as well as off-site, hosting live-demo’s. On the booth, Alcons is showing a selected choice of point-source, line-source and line-array pro-ribbon sound solutions from the Sound Designer’s Toolbox.

Taking stage in their final production guise are the Sentinel amplified loudspeaker controllers: With 4-in/4-out, 192kHz AES/EBU inputs, Linux-based processor control, 10kW. audiophile-grade amp.stages, full color touch screen control, SIS™ dynamic cable compensation, this amplified processor platform raises the bar in speaker drive engines.

Also the QR24 pro-ribbon line-source column will be on show: This modular, two-way column-array loudspeaker is to be used in acoustically-challenging rooms, delivering a full-range high SPL HiFi sound quality, with unparalleled speech intelligibility, without the necessity of DSP-based beamsteering.

As well as the award-winning subwoofer BC332 compact cardioid sub, which features 18" + 15" woofers in cardioid arrangement. This cancels the sub frequencies on the rear of the cabinet, reducing the reverberant field, greatly improving the system’s accuracy.

A highlight of the company’s presence at the show will be the previewing of the forthcoming RR12 horizontal pro-ribbon array system, which takes Alcons’ legendary pro-ribbon cylindrical projection and coupling behaviour in new and different directions.

A premiere for the US market is the presence of the LR16 compact pro-ribbon line-array, which will be introduced and demo’d at a special off-site concert :

During and after show hours, Alcons Audio will be hosting off-site demonstrations of its pro-ribbon based sound systems; With a special concert showing on Wednesday night, in conjunction with Orlando Productions and PlazaLive, featuring the LR16 line-array.

More info and free tickets for the concert are available on the Alcons booth 671.

In picture Alcons LR16 line array.

3rd June 2013

Showlight 2013 a Massive Success

Showlight 2013 (May 18-21) was staged in the Czech Republic for the first time, at beautiful Ceský Krumlov and with Robe lighting as a very proud main sponsor.

Nearly 400 visitors embraced the mediaeval town for the three days to enjoy a lively mix of presentations by industry professionals working in all areas of lighting and visuals plus some superlative networking opportunities as well as getting a taste of life in and around Ceský Krumlov.

Various fact-finding and sightseeing visits were an integral part of the Conference itinerary, allowing delegates to see some of the local commerce and business activities first hand.

This included a tour of the city’s famous Baroque Theatre complete with original wooden and rope stage machinery, and other specially arranged visits encompassed pencil and cosmetics factories and a graphite mine.

The visit programme also took in the Mestske Theatre, where lighting designer Andy Webb from the UK was commissioned by Robe to produce a special 15 minute live performance with a cast of five, titled "An Enchanted Realm", which he lit entirely with around 50 Robe fixtures – all of them LED. This was followed by a Q&A session.

The main Showlight venue was in the former Winter Riding Hall of Ceský Krumlov’s famous castle, a 15 minute walk up from the town centre, with an amazing view from each and every street corner and vantage point.

Monday evening’s gala dinner took place in a large marquee adjacent to the Riding Hall in the attractive Castle Gardens, fortuitously blessed with excellent weather!

As a very special finale to a magical evening, guests walked out to witness the Castle Gardens illuminated by over 2,000 candles, and a specially arranged Baroque firework display set to Handel’s ‘Music for The Royal Fireworks’ overture.

On the Tuesday, one of the presentations was by leading Israeli lighting designer Avi Yona Bueno (Bambi), who spoke about his seminal work in lighting three seasons of the Israeli Opera performing at the foot of Masada Mountain near the Dead Sea.

Each delegate was presented with a coffee table book produced by Robe which told the story of the technical and creative challenges of this extraordinary piece of work. At the end of the Conference, there was a long queue of people for Bambi to sign the book.

The event was a massive success and the feedback has been amazing! For many delegates, it was also their first visit to the Czech Republic.

Robe’s CEO Josef Valchá comments: "Every other person I spoke to throughout Showlight was saying that they would return to ?eský Krumlov with their families and friends and also come back to the CZ! It has been a completely positive experience for everyone, and we are very happy and privileged to have been part of Showlight 2013 – it is a real forum for discussion and ideas in our industry, and we were so happy to be able to represent our country in this way."

Robe UK’s Petra Sefton and other members of the Showlight Committee put in a huge amount of time and effort to ensure everything ran smoothly for the quadrennial symposium, as did Robe’s marketing manager Jiri Baros and Daniel Kintzl from Ceský Krumlov’s Tourist Department.

Immediate feedback suggested that this was the best Showlight ever … and everybody enjoyed a great time in Ceský Krumlov.

In picture: a Showlight 2013 session in progress and Avi Yona Bueno (Bambi) describes his lighting for Israel Opera at the foot of Masada Mountain.

3rd June 2013

PLASA Focus returns to Austin this September

After a hugely successful debut show in February 2012, the trail-blazing PLASA Focus regional event series is returning to Austin, where it all began! This year's show is bigger and better and is taking place at a new venue, the Palmer Events Center in downtown Austin, just 20 minutes from Austin Airport, on September 10-11, 2013.

"PLASA Focus: Austin 2012 was the first event to be launched under the PLASA Focus banner in North America, and it proved to be very popular, with both visitors and exhibitors, which is why we have decided to return to the region this September. Over 40 companies have already signed up to exhibit, and we expect to see both previous and new visitors, all of whom want to experience and interact with the latest products without having to travel far from home" says Jackie Tien, director of media, sales and marketing at PLASA.

PLASA Focus provides visitors with a unique opportunity to check out the latest products from some of the biggest names in entertainment technology. Companies already signed up to exhibit at the show include; A.C.T Lighting, CAST Software, Chauvet Lighting, d&b audiotechnik, DiGiCo, Elation, GLP, Group One, High End Systems, Link, Mainstage Theatrical Supply, Martin Professional, Robe Lighting, TMB, Tomcat and Wireless Solution. With many other applications currently being processed, companies interested in exhibiting are advised to move quickly to secure their spot.

Running alongside the show is the PLASA Professional Development Program, a knockout program of free educational sessions, featuring world-class speakers. Previous speakers include Wayne Trevisani, FOH Engineer for Jay-Z and Matt Conover, VP at Walt Disney and Parks Creative Entertainment.

Each two-day PLASA Focus show is free to attend for all registered visitors, and PLASA members, Focus series exhibitors and regional dealers all benefit from substantial discounts on exhibition space. PLASA Focus limits the amount of space that exhibitors can take and provides a unique hard wall booth package - including furniture, power, material handling, lighting and carpet - so that each exhibitor enjoys a level playing field and a simple and affordable exhibiting experience.

Free visitor registration is open now at www.plasafocus.com/austin

30th May 2013

Robe Showcases Newest Technology at AES Brazil Expo

Robe participated with local distributor Newart at the 17th Brazilian exhibition and conference organised by the AES (Audio Engineering Society) in Sao Paulo, taking the opportunity to highlight its latest innovative new products, including the ROBIN Pointe, the MiniMe and the MMX WashBeam.

Attracting lighting, sound and video professionals from Latin America and the US, AES Brazil Expo registered a 10% growth in visitor numbers. AES Brazil president Armando Baldassarra stated: "More and more international launches are happening in Brazil which continues to raise the profile of AES." Robe and Newart were part of that trend!

On the stand, the brand new ROBIN Pointe and MiniMe fixtures were shown in Brazil for the first time, making a big impact on visitors who wanted to see them in action and asked for personalised demonstrations continually throughout the show.

Newart CEO Francisco Pinheiro commented: "This was our first year at AES as exhibitors, and despite the current challenges of the market, the number of visitors was much higher than we expected."

The Brazilian launch of the ROBIN Pointe and the MiniMe made these fixtures the stars of the show alongside the MMX WashBeam. "Clients were impressed by their performance and many have already showed an interest in purchasing," adds Francisco.

The Pointe is a small, very bright, multi-functional fixture which can be used as a beam, spot, wash or effects unit – with both static and rotating gobo wheels, two prisms, variable zoom when in Beam and Spot modes, plus a host of other features.

The MiniMe is an effects lighting luminaire with the addition of full video output. This small, neat, fast effects lighting moving fixture is LED driven with a 20,000 hour lifetime lightsource. Colours, gobos and beam shapes are all digitally generated by the on-board micro media server. Custom artwork, still photographs and video content can also be simply uploaded and projected, whilst live video can be streamed through the HDMI input.

Referencing the show’s profile which is more characteristically related to audio, Robe’s regional sales manager for Latin America, Guillermo Traverso says: "For the last two years, many colleagues have asked me to do a presentation to audio engineers illustrating the measures manufacturers are taking to ensure that luminaires used in theatres and TV studios are increasingly silent.

"That’s how we arrived at this expo for the first time in Brazil. I have really enjoyed the talk and the experience of being at the exhibition which has allowed me to make new friends," added Guillermo, who carried out several private demonstrations to engineers visiting the stand.

www.robe.cz

30th May 2013

CADAC sponsors Broadway Sound Master Classes

Having participated in last year’s event, CADAC is an official sponsor of this year’s Broadway Sound Master Classes, in association with its US distributor Lift Distribution and RF Production's Tom Benson, its US theatre sound consultant.

Addressing what is for it a traditional customer base, this year CADAC is focusing on the opportunities offered to smaller performance venues and productions by its latest compact LIVE1 analogue console series and CDC Four digital mix system.

Commenting on this year’s approach, international sales manager, Ben Millson, says: "With the focus on the LIVE1 and CDC Four we are illustrating that, with its new console range, CADAC has a Broadway quality board for everyone, all offering cost competitive, high quality sound design capabilities. Once CADAC sound and engineering was only available to the biggest theatre productions, now there are CADAC consoles affordable to all; from small studio and temporary theatre spaces and touring shows, to full scale Broadway productions."

While the LIVE1 offers true classic CADAC sound and EQ – in 16, 24 and 32 frame sizes – at budget points that previously would have necessitated use of a budget brand general live sound desk, the even more compact form factor of the CDC Four offers even greater seat saving and scalability opportunities in theatre applications, offering 32 channels of true J-Type emulation CADAC sound, expandable to 64 channels with the option of the CDC I/O 32/16 MEGACOMMS stage rack.

In picture: CADAC theatre sound consultant Tom Benson (right) with Broadway sound designer Mick Potter at last year’s Broadway Sound Master Classes

photo: Paul Fronc

29th May 2013

CADAC Returns to InfoComm

Following its debut appearance last year, CADAC is once again exhibiting at InfoComm.

CADAC is showing its current range of audio mixing consoles for AV hire and installation applications, including its latest analogue and digital models, and network expansion options featuring the proprietary, high speed MEGACOMMS network protocol.

CADAC sales and engineering staff, and US distributor LIFT Distribution, will be on the stand. Live product demonstrations will feature the CDC8 and CDC Four digital mix systems. This will include the CDC8-32 and ultra-compact CDC8-16 frame size consoles – offering identical 128 channel I/Os, functionality and processing capabilities – the CDC8-16S expansion sidecar – connectable with a single Ethernet cable, providing 16 additional faders and HD touch-screen control surface – and the CDC 32/16 and 64/48 I/O MEGACOMMS expansion racks. MEGACOMMS enables transmission of 256 channels of 96kHz/24bit audio on a single stream, for up to 150 meters via coaxial.

A uniquely high quality, scalable and affordable mix solution for small installation to full size sound production and control applications, the CDC Four will be demonstrated with the CDC I/O 32/16 MEGACOMMS stage rack, with which it offers up to 64 channels of CADAC “analogue-quality” sound. True CADAC J-Type EQ emulation, combined with the CDC Four’s new CADAC mic pre, makes this the best sounding compact console at this or almost any price point.

Other products exhibited on the stand will include the LIVE1 compact analogue console series and mid to large scale S-Type, a classic CADAC analogue console offering exceptional flexibility and custom options in terms of I/Os, channel strips, groups, VCAs and frame sizes. A CADAC S-Type console will also be running demonstrations in the KV2 Audio listening booth on stand number 575.

In picture: CADAC CDC Four and CDC I/O 32/16 MEGACOMMS stage rack.

24th May 2013

Bandit Lights Knoxville’s Best at Pinnacle Awards

More than 600 business and community leaders gathered on May 3, 2013 to celebrate the finest businesses and individuals in East Tennessee, where Bandit Lites lit the ninth annual Pinnacle Business Awards Gala. The black tie event has quickly become one of the premier social events, complete with reception, silent auction, and a martini bar carved out of a block of ice.

Lighting designer Will Twork created an elegant atmosphere utilizing MAC 2k Profiles, MAC 500 and MAC 600. Framed in the stage set, six 4x30’ screen material panels were lit by GRN LED pars.

“It’s not a typical stage set-up,” said Bandits’ general manager, JR Sander. “From the moment people enter the room, we want them to immediately feel they are in a space befitting their status as a member of Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. It’s a special night for everyone, and Bandit is proud to both be a part of the Pinnacle Awards as well as a member of the Chamber of Commerce.”

Bandit Lites chair, Michael T. Strickland, was previously the Chair of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Bandit Lites won the Large Business Excellence Award in 2008.

Angela Beaulieu, the Knoxville Chamber events coordinator, thanked the Bandit crew for their transformation of the ballroom into a “Pinnacle masterpiece.”

“The room and stage looked amazing. As always, it is great to work with you and your crew!” wrote Beaulieu.

17th May 2013

Martin Professional Gold Sponsor of Showlight 2013

Martin Professional is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the prestigious Showlight conference May 18-21 in the Czech Republic and looks forward to four stimulating days in Český Krumlov among the world’s most talented lighting professionals.

“Showlight is an exceptional and unique event in our industry and we are delighted to again have the opportunity to participate as a sponsor,” states Martin UK sales director Mike Walker, who will be attending the event along with Martin’s newly hired business area manager for its EMEA sales organisation, Matt Hallard. “Showlight really attracts the cream of the lighting world and from a networking perspective is unequalled. We very much look forward to it.”

Held every four years, Showlight is unique among lighting industry events. Made up of many of the top names in lighting, Showlight exists specifically to give speakers, designers and attendees time to meet and discuss. For example, stands close during presentations to allow exhibitors to participate.

An impressive list of lighting industry professionals will hold talks detailing their work, many of whom incorporated Martin lighting in their projects.

Learn more about Showlight at http://www.showlight.org/

www.martin.com 

15th May 2013

Blockbuster Martin Products Await Visitors to InfoComm 2013

The newest members of Martin Professional’s award-winning MAC Viper Family and the first fixtures in Martin’s RUSH range of affordable effect lighting await visitors to InfoComm, North America’s premier show for professional AV.

Held June 12-14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, visitors to InfoComm will be some of the first in North America to get an up-close look at two Martin product lines that are taking the industry by storm.

Martin will also have on display its EC Series of LED video panels as well as its Exterior 400 range of outdoor LED lighting fixtures.

Martin invites all industry lighting professionals to Booth 6151 for a relaxing chat and demo from their own personal Martin rep.

In picture: the new RUSH MH2 Wash from Martin Professional

www.martin.com

14th May 2013

Martin Product Debuts at PLASA Focus Orlando

Visitors to PLASA Focus Orlando will be the first in the U.S. to get an up-close look at the newest members of Martin Professional’s award-winning MAC Viper Family, as well as the first fixtures in Martin’s all-new range of affordable effect lights – RUSH.

Join Martin May 15-16 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort Booth 321 to check out these latest Martin innovations, network with industry professionals and enjoy a relaxing chat with Martin personnel.

A host of other Martin lighting products and control solutions will also be on display.

www.martin.com

8th May 2013

New Products at New Regional Event for Orlando

With less than two weeks until the doors open at PLASA Focus: Orlando 2013, taking place at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, on May 15-16, exhibitors have been busy releasing details about the products they will have on display at their booths.

Robe Lighting will introduce four new additions to the ROBIN Series; the ROBIN Pointe, Robin MiniMe, Robin Cyclone and Robin CycFX. The ROBIN Pointe is a new dynamic beam, spot and wash fixture which features include a 5 to 20 degree zoom with full focus control, variable frost, two separate prism effects, a rotating and static gobo wheel, and built-in color wheel. The ROBIN MiniMe is an effects lighting luminaire with the addition of full video output, driven by a 20,000 hour lifetime source. The Robin Cyclone is an innovative effects moving head product that has an integrated fan in the center of the head surrounded by a ring of 24 x high powered RGBW multichip LEDs. The Robin CycFX is a one meter linear strip that can be tilted 270 degrees featuring an array of high-powered RGBW LEDs for smooth color mixing, with a zoom option that opens the spread out from 8- to 53-degrees.

GLP German Light Products will hold the US launch of the Impression X4S. This fixture is the small version of the Impression X4. Featuring the same 15W RGBW LED's that are used in the Impression X4 - just seven, instead of 19, it has the same homogenous output, the same stunning 7- to 50-degree zoom range and the same pixel pattern capability, but all in a smaller body which is just 12" high and weighs just 12lb.

Chauvet Professional will showcase a number of their latest fixtures on their booth, including the Legend 230SR Beam moving yoke, Nexus 4x4 tour-ready wash light, Ovation series of theatrical luminaires, PVP S5 high-definition video panel, MVP Ta8 Curve modular video panel, and wash lights from the COLORado series.

InterAmerica Stage will be featuring the SkyDeck modular tension wire grid system which provides safe access to theatrical overhead fixtures. Skydeck is a safe and flexible alternative to other industry catwalk and platform designs. They will also be showcasing the Electronic Theatre Controls Foundation Rigging Controller. This intuitive touchscreen system controls up to 48 fixed and variable-speed Prodigy Rigging hoists, while ensuring maximum safety and providing continuous system diagnostics.

iWeiss will be showing the latest additions to their line of mid-range automation products. The ViaTraveler is a zero-fleet, closed-loop winch designed to work in conjunction with standard stage curtain tracks for 60' bi-directional movement and 120' bi-part for a traveler. The BannerHoist is a yo-yo drum winch that comes in various configurations allowing up to 10 lift lines, 60'/minute travel, and 1,000lb loads. The ViaControl and ViaControl MAX are multi-use UL listed control stations for all iWeiss Via products, which feature illuminated push button control, E-stop button, and external mounting holes for easy installation.

Thern Stage Equipment will showcase the Brickhouse arbor, which features an innovative design that provides ergonomic operation and load security. Additional products on display will include counterweight bricks, a pipe weight indicator, and the revolutionary Brickhouse rope lock.

Truss Aluminium Factory will introduce the TOWER 05, a smaller and lighter version of the aluminium truss tower which is designed for smaller set ups and easier handling. The basic truss segments used are quick lock 12" box trusses -- HT34. The tower comes already equipped with hand-winch, steel rope, and stabilizing outriggers. The total lifting height is 6.5m (21.33') with the possibility to lift loads of 500Kg (1,100lb).

Group One will feature a host of new features from lighting specialists ElektraLite, and will also showcase the newest theatrical software for the SD9 from UK-console innovator, DiGiCo.

0energyLIGHTING Inc. will feature the FlexArayTM LED fixture family, stage and studio LED luminaires that are available in RGBAW, Variable White, as well as Static White 3200K, 4400K, and 5600K. All units have a proprietary reflector and unique optic design. "The RGBAW unit produces great pastel colors, uncommon to most LED fixtures," says David LaVigna, president and CEO of 0energyLIGHTING Inc.

In total over 50 leading lighting, audio and stage technology companies will be exhibiting at PLASA Focus: Orlando 2013. Visitors can access the exhibitor list, register for their free ticket and sign up for the free-to-attend seminar program at www.plasafocus.com/orlando/.

8th May 2013

City Theatrical to Host Professional Lighting Software Day

City Theatrical will host a free lighting software demonstration day for all lighting users featuring Lightwright 5, Moving Light Assistant, and Vectorworks Spotlight on Thursday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the New York City Center - 130 West 56th Street (Stage Door Entrance) - New York, NY 10019.

John McKernon, author of Lightwright 5, assisted by Jorge Arroyo, Andy Voller, author of Moving Light Assistant, and Kevin Linzey of Nemetschek Vectorworks, will lead the software demonstrations. The main focus of this event is to give an overview of the software to designers, technicians, and students. This is an all-day event where participants can come and go. These short demonstrations will be on a first come, first served basis and will be limited in size so each participant can have a unique and personal experience.

City Theatrical will be giving away free demo versions of the software at this event.

For more information, please call 201-549-1160 or email

info@citytheatrical.com

7th May 2013

CAST Sponsors Eighth USITT Design Contest

For the eighth year in a row, CAST Software has sponsored the USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology) Southwest Student Design Competition, an annual event which recognises young talent in the categories of lighting, sound, set and costume design, stage management and scenic technology.

Each year, CAST bestows the winner of the lighting design category with an educational wysiwyg license, and is delighted to announce that this year's winner is University of Oklahoma student, Leahe Knott (pictured), who scooped the prize for her work on Peter Oswald’s translation of Friedrich Schiller’s play, Mary Stuart. In a review of the production for the University's Routes website, Laurel Dix noted: “The purity and subtlety of Leahe Knott’s lighting draws out each brilliant bit of color from Lloyd Cracknell’s sumptuous costumes.”

Knott herself explains: “The story of Mary Stuart is very much based on religion and the division of the two queens, and so our whole concept for the show was that they would be the mirror image of each other.

“The challenge was to use lighting to create the different environments. For example, Mary is a prisoner, but she isn't in an actual prison, she's locked in the basement of the house. I wanted to make her environment seem warm yet also very isolated, because she was stuck there and hadn't seen sunshine for a long time, so I tried to achieve a candlelit ambience. At one point we made it rain on stage, so I had to figure out how to light the rain properly, and also how to shape the people as well as the rain. I really wanted to get the English grey sky feel, but it's Mary's first time outside in 15 years, and when Elizabeth comes in the rain stops, the grey starts creeping out and gives way to sunshine, so to capture that was one of my favourite moments.

“I've never had the chance to use wysiwyg before, so I'm really excited to try it out now. I really like rendering and showing people how a scene will look. With lighting, directors kind of have to trust you and go with what you say – they don't really get to see any sketches or anything – whereas scenic designers have a means to share their ideas a little better. I think wysiwyg is a way for lighting designers to do this as well.”

The USITT has been serving professionals and pre-professionals in design, production and technology for the performing arts since 1960. It provides benefits and learning opportunities, as well as places to network, exchange ideas and develop, for over 3,700 members worldwide.

The Institute's Southwest Student Design Competition is open to students based within the region that comprises Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Entrants – who can be high school students, undergraduates or graduates – must submit work that has been done within the previous 12 months. wysiwyg is in line with other well-received prizes, such as a week of Varilight training, a week of Meyer Sound training, or a trip to Washington DC to shadow a costume designer at the Shakespeare Theatre, each awarded according to discipline.

The inclusion of wysiwyg as the prize in the lighting design category is of particular significance, since the founder of the competition, revered lighting & scenic designer and educator, Don Childs, was a leading proponent of wysiwyg since its very beginnings in the late 1990s. Childs, who is credited by Gilles Ste-Croix as having inspired him to create Cirque du Soleil, established America's first wysiwyg classroom over ten years ago at Sam Houston State University in Texas, and is considered by high-profile wyg users such as Valy Tremblay to have been one of the most accomplished teachers of the software.

Child's wife of 45 years, Jane Childs, has continued Don's strong support of wysiwyg in her position as vice president of development at USITT, which she fulfilled for the final time this year. Part of this role is to organise the prizes for the design competition and, as one of her late husband's favourite tools, wysiwyg is a crucial award, she feels.

Childs explains: “The glory of wysiwyg is that, inside the computer, you can create a virtual light lab for every student to manipulate and learn from at the same time. They can do exercises simultaneously, then each one can go off in their own direction and set their own learning curve, so it's a great tool for expanding the imagination. Like everything, it expands it only as far as the student is willing to go, but it's limitless if the student applies themselves.

“One of wyg's greatest values is as a way for students to develop their understanding of lighting equipment and the potential of individual fixtures,” she continues. “It offers students a hands-on method of developing their designs and applying what they're learning in a functioning virtual environment. The virtual environment is a less expensive, extremely flexible, and safer way to create a learning lab for this process. Besides, any type of equipment is available, no can get hurt, and nothing gets broken.”

CAST chairman Bruce Freeman added: “CAST is so pleased to continue to endorse the great efforts of USITT, teachers such as Jane Childs and many other secondary and post-secondary educational institutions around the world. In fact, at this moment in time, we estimate that there are something in the region of 27,000 students a year using wysiwyg. Not only are these students creating pre-visualisations that show them exactly what they will achieve from their physical designs, they are also getting to grips with an environment that is fundamental in the use of our revolutionary BlackTrax system – the future of 3D and 6D production.

“We invite all interested academic institutions to contact CAST Software by emailing Igor Fernando at: igor.fernando@cast-soft.com, or go to the academic section of our website to learn more about how your institution can get ongoing free upgrades, tech support and much more.”

wysiwyg R30 update is available now from the members only area of the CAST website: www.cast-soft.com, where a demo version, comprehensive product information, and a showcase of the breadth of projects on which wysiwyg is pivotal, are also available. New releases are free for Members – Membership has its benefits!

3rd May 2013

d&b Amplifies the A of AV at the 2013 InfoComm in Orlando

"InfoComm never ceases to amaze; easily the largest annual event for the AV presentation industry professional, for d&b audiotechnik it's a great platform to introduce people to the advances we are making in providing a great listening experience," says d&b marketing manager Roger Keim emphasising just why the 'Comm' in InfoComm is important to d&b, "it's about hearing as well as seeing. Audio might not be as glossy as the video displays, but without good sound a picture only tells part of the story. We are demonstrating new products and will be hosting presentations on how to apply them."

Product demonstrations commence at 11:00 am on the 11th June in the demo lounge, number W204A, and run throughout the exhibition, and for the main expo d&b is located at booth number 1027 from the 12th to 14th June in the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando. Products from the d&b White and Black ranges will be on display, along with two stations on the booth where the d&b new ArrayCalc V7 acoustic modelling software will be shown along with a functioning R1 / R70 remote system control setup.

"White is aimed squarely at system integrators," explained Keim. "The 10AL small format line array, introduced only last year, is already proving extremely popular for our clients around the world. For the entertainment professional the Black is a physically more robust product range designed for speed of rigging and resilience in touring environments." Elements from the V, T and E-Series from the Black range will also be on display.

The presentations in the demo room last approximately 30 minutes and will cover in detail the new features of ArrayCalc V7 with a direct listening experience through a variety of d&b loudspeakers. Presented by Christopher Kulesa and Jason Waggoner, both part of the d&b US office's education programme, the focus will be the ability of ArrayCalc V7 to perform acoustic simulations for complex hybrid system design solutions that require both point source and line array elements. "Other members of the d&b team will be on hand to engage in further discussion with participants," concluded Keim. "We look forward to seeing you there."

2nd May 2013

Allen & Heath Sponsors Famous Clubs during 2013 SXSW

Allen & Heath digital consoles were a big hit with the bands and fans once again at this year's South by Southwest (SXSW), one of the world's largest annual music conferences in Austin, TX. The conference, which has been produced since 1987, is celebrated around the world as one of the great institutions of independent music.

About 49,000 attended this year's tradeshow (March 12- 17); a mix of record labels, bloggers, booking agents and radio programmers. In addition, tens of thousands more crammed the streets, bars and restaurants of downtown Austin - all in search of the next cool thing.

Threadgills is a favorite Austin hangout where rockers and rednecks rub elbows. The club is the epitome of what breathes life into the city's slogan, Keep Austin Weird. Credited as the joint where Janis Joplin perfected her brassy style, Threadgills is one of the busiest venues in Austin, especially during SXSW.

The venue was outfitted with an Allen & Heath GLD-80 digital mixing system, fully loaded with the AR-2412 audio rack' two AR-84 expanders and full iPad integration. Most of the acts including Bob Schneider, West Water Outlaws, The Lost Brothers and James McMurtry were mixed on the GLD. Headliner and veteran country rocker, Shooter Jennings, was mixed on a pair of iLive T-112s by local production company Leo Sound from Elgin,Texas.

The fast pace at SXSW is quite chaotic. Many music industry dealmakers are in attendance so the pressure is on the bands to have a hot set that could launch a successful career. That can be a nightmare for a sound engineer trying to dial in a great mix on an unfamiliar console. On the last day of SXSW, 18 acts took the stage at Threadgills between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

"It's not unusual for a band to have only have 10 minutes to set up and 20 minutes to play before the next band comes on. Thanks to the flexibility and intuitive nature of Allen & Heath's digital consoles, they are a perfect fit for the SXSW environment," explains Michael Palmer, vice president of sales, Allen & Heath. "I've had engineers with no prior experience on digital consoles, have an easy time navigating the system and producing the sound they want."

In picture: Allen & Heath GLD80 managing FOH duties at Threadgills, SXSW 13.

24th April 2013

G-Spot Passes the Ultimate Fountain Test at PL+S

SGM used Frankfurt’s Prolight+Sound to demonstrate the extraordinary growth it has experienced since coming under Peter Johansen’s ownership just over a year ago.

The booth was permanently packed with visitors wanting to be among the first to witness the global launch of the groundbreaking new IP65-rated G-Spot, and make sure it lived up to its claim of superior optics and weather-resistant body. A constant stream of water splashing across the chassis left no-one in any doubt.

But equally important, SGM has built up a family of loyal and highly-motivated resellers during the intervening period and the company CEO was able to welcome partners from across the world to a pre-show dinner, awards presentation and distributor conference, so they were primed for action when the curtains were raised on the opening day.

G-Spot quickly became known as the moving head that turned heads, establishing SGM among the industry’s leading contenders for the first time — a company that will impact the future of advanced lighting technology.

Word about the IP65-rated sealed, multi-environmental unit, which happens to be the brightest in the market, had also spread throughout the press, and the interest was reflected in the attendance from all over the globe.

Once again, Peter Johansen, made sure everybody got what they came for — with a bold and tangible demonstration of the G-Spot’s IP65 rating.

By purchasing the SGM brand in 2012 and relocating the entire set-up from Italy to Denmark, Peter Johansen embarked on a tough, yet determined mission; to rebrand a run-of-the-mill lighting company into an industry heavyweight. His philosophy is simple. “There was really no point in copying what others have already done — that won’t put you in the lead. My focus is always on ways of making the impossible possible. This way you not only meet the needs of the market, you create new needs people didn’t even know they had in the first place!”

As he addressed the massed ranks of the press corps about recent contract wins for the company’s game-changing strobes — presently out in large quantities on tours by Pink, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé (and shortly with Rammstein) — he also announced that G-Spot was in the process of being specified.

But the overriding memory for visitors was that throughout the entire show SGM had the G-Spot placed in a huge fish tank at the SGM booth allowing visitors to do their own hands-on IP65 test by pouring water on the moving head.

On day four of the show the G-Spot was to withstand its ultimate test: German fountain specialists Oase Living Water allowed the company to test the G-Spot in the most extreme conditions: In the middle of a fountain sprinkling 2000 litres of water per minute! The stunt attracted a huge crowd who got to witness a world first experiment.

The G-Spot passed with flying colours. Now that’s what you call a grand finale!

In picture: Peter Johansen subjects G-Spot to the water test; the world’s press gather to see the official unveiling of the product.

24th April 2013

PR Lighting’s new product suite has perfect platform at ProLight + Sound

PR Lighting has reported an excellent response to the suite of new products, premiered on the stand of their German distributor, Focon Showtechnic at this year’s Prolight+Sound Show in Frankfurt. According to international sales director, Ernie Armas, feedback to all three new products couldn't have been more positive.

Pascal Vieregge at Focon confirmed that the PR Lighting booth had been one of the real eye-catchers — an inviting area with friendly faces and 72 XLED 336’s, designed as sunstripes, dominating the backwall.

“At the same time beams appeared to come out of the heavens, crossing each other like an alien invasion — projected by the innovative PR Lighting XR-200, XR-300 and PR-5000 Beam. The booth design, by Focon’s Jens Ottenhus, in combination with Gunnar Loose’s intelligent programming, brought an enthusiastic response from the customers.”

The Chinese manufacturer used PL+S to launch to showcase its new line of LED Studio products (represented by the LED Studio 3300). Aimed at TV studios and special photographic applications, the criteria set for this was soft and uniform light output, high light efficiency, stable colour temperature and high colour rendering index (with optional 3200K and 5600K colour temperature).

Alongside, was the XLED 250, housing 50W LED which outperforms a standard 250W discharge fixture. Finally PR Lighting showed the XR800. This uses the latest MSR Platinum 35 lamp to deliver an extremely bright light, with a wide zoom range from 7.5°-50°, making it perfectly suited for TV, theatre, corporate events and other demanding applications.

After four exhausting days at the imposing Focon booth, Armas and his team reported that sales — and reaction generally — had been fantastic. “The new products were positively received and we have picked up many new customers. Our alliance with Focon was fantastic — and customers were also hugely impressed with the booth design.”

Pascal Vieregge agreed, stating that the new XLED250 micro spot, looks to have a huge future in the European market, due to its high quality, along with the XR-200, which he believes is still one of the most effective 5R fixtures. “The presentation of the brand new XR-800 Spot, powered by a 35R lamp, was another important part of the show and attracted many interested customers,” he said. “The Studio lighting range with SoftLED´s and LED Spots was the other eye-catcher.

Summing up, he said: “PLS 2013 proved to us that PR Lighting is heading in the right direction, and their presentation at this show will have done much to consolidate their position as a high quality brand on the international market."

In picture: the new LED Studio 3300 makes its debut; the PR Lighting display at Focon

24th April 2013

Martin Audio Celebrates Best Frankfurt Ever

Martin Audio can reflect on its most successful trade show appearance ever following its participation at this year’s Frankfurt Prolight+Sound Show.

Sharing its stand with German distributor Atlantic Audio the centerpiece was the global premier of the keenly-anticipated MLA Mini loudspeaker array. Partners and customers from around the world flooded the booth — all wanting to be among the first to witness this third generation deployment of Martin Audio’s unique and award-winning Multi-cellular technology, following the successful launch of the original platform at the same show three years earlier.

Stated Martin Audio marketing director, James King: “The introduction of MLA in 2010, MLA Compact in 2012, and now MLA Mini at this show, represented to customers a complete offering of venue solutions. Not surprisingly, interest was overwhelming with all our distributors placing orders to fulfill the anticipated demand, while new customers were keen to buy into it.

“The sense of consistent innovation being delivered by Martin Audio and its increasing prominence around the world further indicates that the company is on the verge of a new era of success.”

Certainly the world’s trade press thought so judging from the record attendance — easily the largest media gathering to the unveiling of a new product in the company's history.

Director of sales, Simon Bull, agreed. “The amazing success of MLA Compact last year and response from our customers had validated our commitment to this revolutionary technology — but reaction to MLA Mini exceeded even that; sometimes we could barely move on the stand for people wanting to discover more about what we have achieved and, of course, to welcome the new arrival.”

The sales force worked tirelessly to demonstrate the design inspiration that had gone into producing this ultra-compact, light weight, scalable solution — with the complementary MSX mini-sub power plant housing the amplification, networking and DSP necessary to power and control itself and four MLA Mini enclosures. While they delivered the sales message, R&D director, Jason Baird engaged in a series of technical seminars in the booth theatre, supported by key members of the live sound support team.

But the new MLA Mini was far from a one trick pony. The stand was populated with the full MLA series (including Perspex versions) and other key items from the product portfolio, such as OmniLine, DD6, new XD12/XD15, three floor monitors (LE1200S, LE1500S, LE2100S) and three lightweight amps (MA3.0, MA2.0, MA2.8Q).

And in between they also found time to confirm several new distributor appointments … such as InfoGroup from Turkey and Integrated Entertainment Solutions (IES) from India.

The final word comes from Simon Bull. “I had considered it impossible that we could have had a better show than last year. But if we left the Messe buzzing on that occasion then 2013 has all but left us speechless.”

In picture: MLA Mini makes its debut at the booth; the world’s press arrive; Jason Baird unveils the mysteries of the MLA Mini.

24th April 2013

GTO C-12: Outline unveils the real game-changer

Italian pro-audio manufacturer Outline celebrated its 40th Anniversary by unveiling the all-new GTO C-12 line source array at Frankfurt Musikmesse 2013.

Following the GTO concept (first introduced in 2011) of harnessing the power of multiple transducers in a compact cabinet, the new GTO C-12 contains dual high-power 12" LF drivers, four 6.5" midrange units and two 3" throat compression drivers.

The footprint of the new C-12 is exactly the same as all the other modules in the GTO range, allowing full mechanical compatibility with GTO, GTO-SUB, GTO-LOW and GTO-DF in terms of rigging, flying hardware and wheelboards.

Incorporating Outline’s V-Power Concept and patented DPRWG Wave Guide, and using the most advanced transducer technology available, the GTO C-12 carries the familiar high resolution signature sound synonomous with the Outline brand and family of world renowned line array products.

"GTO is one of the most potent line-source systems ever produced, and everyone who works with it comments on its effortless power, clarity and definition even in the largest and most demanding applications. For many of our clients however, there are numerous applications for a system that produces an extremely high output power - surpassed only by its ‘big brother’ - but in a lighter and more compact format. That is the market demand that has driven the development of GTO C-12" - states Outline’s EMEA sales director Chris Hinds.

As a reference point for existing Outline GTO owners and users, the GTO C-12 cabinet is 21.6% smaller in the vertical plane than the GTO, whereas the overall cabinet weight is down by a massive 30% - a remarkable feat of design engineering.

The use of a special aluminium alloy for the integral rigging hardware, originally developed by Outline for GTO, contributes to this major weight saving. This unique system also provides twelve different adjustment settings in the angle between connected GTO C-12 cabinets, adding further to the real-world flexibility and adaptability of the loudspeaker.

This concentration of power into a smaller and lighter enclosure has significant benefits in terms of transportation, storage, deployment, crew requirements and operational efficiency. GTO C-12 extends the Outline concept of ultimate system flexibility, not just because it is mechanically compatible with all the other GTO modules but also because systems of virtually any size and power can be designed using GTO C-12.

From arenas to 500-seat theatres and everything in between, from maximum thunder rock ‘n roll to spoken-word performance, the remarkable capabilities of this system offer genuine commercial advantages to owners and users.

Outline’s design team are developing a new lightweight flybar for GTO C-12 that will make this product a real game-changer, because using it will allow up to twelve GTO C-12 cabinets to be flown from a single 1-tonne flying point whilst staying within standard Safe Working Load restrictions.

"This is big news for the many production companies that work in venues which only provide a single rigging point per side and / or have low ?ying weight limitations, because they can now bring in an easy-to-handle, compact system that is quick to rig and de-rig, which requires only one motor per side and yet produces more than enough power to handle any event" - comments Outline’s loudspeaker systems designer Francesco Simeoni.

A 12-cabinet per-side GTO C-12 main L&R system with a suitable complement of subwoofers (and in?lls if necessary) will deliver the de?nitive combination of outright SPL, intelligibility and controlled coverage that makes it the perfect go-to system for thousands of medium sized venues throughout the world.

Thanks to the common-voicing approach that de?nes all Outline’s touring product designs, the GTO C-12 can of course be freely deployed with GTO systems for side hangs or delays, or supplemented with other Outline products when used as a main system.

GTO C-12 is fully compatible with the Outline GTO-SUB, DBS 18-2 and LAB 21 HS subwoofers. Outline can also supply suitable DSP controller presets for any combination of GTO C-12 and Outline subwoofers.

In picture: the Outline booth at Frankfurt Musikmesse 2013.

23rd April 2013

Adamson Anniversary at Prolight and Sound

Adamson Systems Engineering has become a fixture on the trade fair floors of Prolight + Sound in Frankfurt Germany. This year marked the thirtieth anniversary for Adamson, a milestone for the Canadian company that develops and manufactures a complete line of high performance loudspeaker systems for the professional touring and installation market. In celebration they hosted a series of parties and dinners with close friends and customers in the industry who have shared in their success while at the event.

At this year’s event Adamson launched three new products and the full Point Concentric line. Those products include additions to the Energia Series with the e12 line source, and the e218 Sub, the all new A218 and the PC5, PC6, PC8, PC10 and PC12.

The popular e15 will now have a partner in the Energia line with the release of the all new e12. The e12 was designed as a standalone mid-size line array but can also be used as a downfill, or side fill in a larger e15 arena system. It will be a versatile solution for large format touring companies and regional rental companies. The e12 offers extremely high powered vocal performance for its size and because the e12 and e15 share the mid and high components, they create a uniform and seamless ribbon of mid/high energy when the e12 is used in a downfill configuration.

Inside the box is Adamson’s new 12" Kevlar driver, the ND12S with advanced cooling and larger xmax, providing uncompromised LF extension, in a 12’ line source system. By utilizing Adamson’s advanced cone architecture, the ND12S has reduced eddy currents and intermodulation distortion by utilizing shorting rings in the motor design. The 12" cone and dustcap are manufactured entirely out of Kevlar creating the most weather resistant low frequency component in the industry.

The weight of the e12 makes this box an ideal candidate for venues with point load restrictions or smaller format applications. The e12 is incredibly light weight but that doesn’t mean it lacks power as it harnesses all of the power of the e15 in its slimmer bodied design.

The Energia e218 was designed as a companion sub for the Energia Series e15 and e12 and can be flown together with an e12 or a stand-alone array. The self-contained rigging allows for curved or flat array when it’s flown but will also travel three up on a cart. Within the manifold design are two of Adamson’s new ND18S drivers with a dual spider voice coil stabilizing design. The drivers are coated in silicone for long term suspension memory and shorting rings are used to eliminate eddy currents and reduce intermodulation distortion.

The A218 is all purpose workhorse sub that is front loaded with two of Adamson’s new ND18S drivers. The drivers have a dual spider that is coated in Silicone for long term suspension memory. The drivers are equipped with Kevlar cones with Adamson’s signature advanced cone architecture. Shorting rings were integrated to eliminate eddy currents and reduce intermodulation distortion. Cardioid plugs are included on the front of the cabinet to ensure easy cabling in front/back configurations.

The Point Concentric Series brings a powerful range of passive, co-axial, loudspeakers designed for both installation and rental markets to the Adamson tool box. The multipurpose cabinets are available in a double 5" (PC5), single 6" (PC6), single 8" (PC8), single 10" (PC10) and a single 12" (PC12) version. This discreet range of cabinets, come coated with water borne acrylic paint, while all metalwork is finished with a Sandtex Powder Coating. Keeping form with the acclaimed Point Series, all cabinets can be color matched to the RAL library.

The PC5 and PC6 are

the smallest cabinets in the Point Concentric Series, and provide a 70-degree conical pattern in a very compact package. Both cabinets ship with standard M10

fly points in 4 locations and additional rear Omnimount points. Threaded Pole mount hardware (for mic stand) or barrier strips can be installed, at no charge, on either cabinet by request. The PC5/PC6 cabinets are designed to produce linear, high resolution audio throughout their bandwidth. Regardless of their modest size, both cabinets produce warm mid bass and plenty of punch for their weight class. As a standalone cabinet, under balcony, or stair fill, the versatile PC5 and PC6 cabinets will fit a variety of applications.

When a little more power is required, designers and rental companies can step it up and reach for the 8", 10" or 12" option in the Point Concentric Series. The larger members of the family are shipped with standard M10 and Omnimount points, but also offer optional vertical yokes for versatility. Unlike their smaller companions, the PC8/PC10 and PC12 ship with standard pole mount hardware. A unique rotatable jack plate allows for either Neutrik or Barrier Strip connections on the bottom or back of each enclosure. Simply unfasten a few screws and rotate the jack plate to change the termination position.

When both power and finesse are needed, the Point Concentric Series offers users a unique solution for high performance audio applications.

 

 

19th April 2013

Robe Makes a Big Point at Frankfurt 2013

Robe concluded its "busiest and best" Prolight+Sound exhibition to date at the Frankfurt Messe.

The action-packed four-day Robe schedule included the launch of six innovative new fixtures, a press event announcing the company’s sponsorship of Czech MotoGP racing star Karel Abraham and a show-stopping lightshow on the booth that had people packing the aisles each day waiting in anticipation … and receiving it with rounds of rapturous applause.

Said Robe’s CEO Josef Valchar: "We said that last year’s Frankfurt was the best ever trade show … but this year’s has surpassed, both in terms of the business completed, the interest in the new products and the general vibe – it has been incredible!"

The much-anticipated Pointe moving light was the focus of Robe’s new technology launches this year – a small, very bright, multi-functional fixture which can be used as a beam, spot, wash or effects unit - with static and rotating gobo wheels, two prisms, variable zoom when in Beam and Spot modes plus a host of other features.

By the end of the exhibition so many orders had been confirmed for Pointes – that production will be kept busy for the next six months.

To deal with this plans are being put in place to boost production capacity at the factory in Valasske Mezirici to meet customer demand. This is absolutely unprecedented in Robe’s history of trade shows … to come back from an exhibition with this many confirmed orders.

In addition to the Pointe, Robe’s other new products are the ROBIN MiniMe - an effects lighting luminaire with the addition of full video output; the ROBIN CycFX - a one metre linear LED strip that can be tilted 270 degrees with an 8 to 53 degree zoom option; the ROBIN Cyclone a moving head with integrated fan surrounded by a ring of 24 RGBW multichip LEDs and the ROBIN MMX Blade a 1200-series equivalent lightsource complete with a framing shutter system. Also new is the latest in Robe’s DigitalSpot series – the DigitalSpot 7100DT.

Continuing it’s ‘Working With Winners’ theme, Robe is sponsoring the young and highly talented Czech MotoGP rider Karel Abraham throughout the 2013 international race season. Karel’s Cardion AB Motoracing team pitched their hospitality pavilion right outside Hall 11 for the duration of the exhibition providing an extra meeting and chill-out area for Robe. Karel came to Frankfurt on the Thursday morning for the press event announcing the sponsorship, after which he signed posters, autographs and posed for a string of photos on the stand.

His Aprilia ART bike – with top speeds of over 330 km/h - was also on show providing an additional point of interest on the stand, underlit by Anolis ArcDots and MC1s.

Robe’s Nathan Wan - who also designed the theatre-look stand which took on a completely different style to anything seen before on a Robe booth - designed this year’s amazing full-on lightshow.

Word about the show spread like wildfire and soon the aisle in front of the booth was thronging with people every half hour waiting for the 3.5 minute show which featured all the new products plus some other Robe favourites. It was set to a special soundtrack and helped keep the stand busy for the entirety of the exhibition.

A large printed theatre drape covered the top ‘upstage’ section of the stand. Seconds before each showtime, this was lowered on Kinesys hoists to reveal a true rock ‘n’ roll style ‘wall of death’ in lights behind. If Metallica had walked out onto the platform in front, no-one would have been surprised!

Lightshow statistics include over 220 cues and 8192 channels of DMX across 16 universes … and it was a major talking point of the whole exhibition. Look out for this style of presentation on future Robe exhibition stands.

Before arriving at Frankfurt, Nathan visualised the show using ESP’s latest Vision software which saved loads of time and enabled him to arrive in Frankfurt with a large part of the show already pre-programmed on his Avolites Sapphire Touch console.

The day before Prolight+Sound opened, Robe held its 5th biennial International Distributor Conference and Awards event, which was attended by over 170 members of the Robe Family from all corners of the globe. The new products were all revealed and demonstrated in depth during the conference section of this, and everyone’s hard work and commitment to the brand was celebrated with the presentation of over 30 Awards.

This was a massive energiser for everyone involved in Robe just before the show. 2012 was the most successful yet in the company’s short history … and 2013 looks set to surpass that!

In picture: Robe CEO Josef Valchar with MotoGP racer Karel Abraham.

 

17th April 2013

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