Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: D.A.S. Audio expanded its self-powered low frequency range with the introduction of the mono-amplified Compact 218 Sub. Two special 700W RMS 18 GN cone transducers handle low frequency reproduction, employing edge-wound flat wire (EFW) for the voice coil windings, a high-flux neodymium magnet and a front-loaded bass-reflex configuration and large enclosure volume to enhance bass response. The C218 Sub uses advanced Class-D amplifier design. True high-end performance is achieved by the patented ICEpower amplifier. A single 1000W module provides the power amplification for the Compact 218 Sub. With an efficiency of 93%, the ICEpower amplifier uses less electricity, reduces heat and does not need fans or bulky heatsinks for cooling.

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Latest moves from DiGiCo include the launch of the D5 Live FM, which they say offers "everything needed for live sound production between the microphone and the PA system". The D5 Live 56 FM package includes a 56-input/64-channel FOH console; 64-channel monitor console; one stage DigiRack, one local FOH DigiRack and one local monitor DigiRack; three drums of fibre optic cable (one for a redundant loop) and two flightcases. The D5 Live 96 FM package is identical but with 96-channel FOH and monitor consoles, an extra 40-input stage DigiRack and a fibre optic link cable.

New software upgrades bring added features: Gain Tracking is a world first, allowing FOH/monitor console operators to change any input gain without affecting the sound balance on either console; the D5 Live's 38 x 8 matrix can now have any channels, inputs and any buss, rout

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Germany's HK Audio had occupied a presentation room away from their stand to provide a quiet environment for their friends and customers. The company is one of the three pro audio brands manufactured and marketed by Music & Sales, along with Hughes & Kettner and MindPrint. Music & Sales expanded into new premises 18 months ago in a €4 million investment, and now employs over 200 people. At Frankfurt this year, HK was highlighting its new corporate image and re-defined product ranges, with loudspeaker systems clearly categorized into Touring, Install or Portable ranges. New product ranges are expected to be announced in July, and will make their debut at the PLASA Show in London in September.

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: BSS Audio introduced the new Soundweb Lite 3088 programmable digital audio system. The new 8x8 unit provides a less-expensive alternative to the original Soundweb for jobs requiring a maximum of eight ins and outs. This will undoubtedly find favour in many applications, including houses of worship, theme bars, boardrooms and clubs. The 3088 has all the capabilities of the networked version and runs under the common Soundweb Designer platform (V1.40 available from the BSS website). Consultants and contractors already familiar with Soundweb will be able to incorporate designs using the 3088 immediately.

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Germany's KME introduced the CA 6 active sound system, aimed at portable performance applications. The system includes two CSA400D top elements and four CBA600D subwoofers, providing a total performance rate of 3kW RMS. The CSA400D has a continuous sound level of 129dB and the subwoofer a powerful 142dB. The entire system fits easily into the back of an estate car, say KME.

Also new is a direct-radiating bass reflex system in the company's Prestige Series. The new 18" long-term excursion transducer QB 1181 E/QB 1181 ET reproduces a lower cut-off frequency of 28Hz. Designed as a direct radiating bass reflex system, it features a sophisticated tunnel geometry for significant minimization of flow noise.

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Digigram's Audio Manager is a powerful set of software tools for local and remote management of multi-zone audio. DAM builds upon NCX Suite and includes all the functions of NCX Suite plus a new catalogue module, and adds management for Digigram's miXart 8 multi-channel sound card range, including the miXart 8 CN sound card with CobraNet interface. Management and monitoring tasks can be performed from virtually anywhere via TCP/IP.Digigram also showed its systems-oriented approach to IP-based audio networks, with Exaudi Platform and Exaudi Hitplayer, formerly sold as 'Hitplayer-L' by Aztec Radiomedia. Exaudi Platform is an open development platform designed for large-scale systems-oriented applications such as inter-site audio distribution in public transport, governmental logging and monitoring, or broadcast infrastructure. Exaudi Hitplayer is now s

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: KT showed the complete Helix system - consisting of the DN9340 Helix and the DN9344 slave unit. The DN9340 is a dual-channel digital audio equalizer which offers the whole range of EQ functions from one smart 2U box. The DN9344 slave unit includes four channels of Helix configurable EQ into just 1U: this means that with just six slaves and one master unit, you can have 28 channels of EQ - in just eight rack spaces. KT also announced that the Legend 3000 console (over 350 of which have been sold since its launch last year) is now fully compatible with the Helix system.

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: New from Crown were improved versions of the XLS Series of power amplifiers, aimed at DJs, musicians and installers. Now in a rugged, all-steel 2U package instead of 3U, the XLS 202 (250W @ 2 ohms), 402 (570W @ 2 ohms) and 602 (840W @ 2 ohms) are smaller, lighter and more affordable than the earlier models, say UK distributor Fuzion.
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Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: AudiaFLEX is the second generation of the Audia system introduced at NSCA last year. In addition to the signal processing, EQ, dynamics, speaker processing, and other features of Audia, the AudiaFLEX also includes CobraNet compatibility, plus the ability to customize the product, allowing customers to fully maximize the digital power, resulting in less equipment, less wiring, and other project savings, say Biamp. Also new is AudiaSOLO - a slimmer and less expensive version of the original Audia, aimed at configurations without a requirement for digital audio networking. (Available in the UK from beyerdynamic.)

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: In addition to its new range of Vigil FireCare fire telephones, Baldwin Boxall (on the stand of distributor Laauser & Vohl) was showing the three models in the recently introduced Vigil 2 voice alarm Class D amplifiers, greater than 80% efficient, drawing less current and therefore reducing unwanted heat. Also included in this range is a new Switch Mode Power improving efficiency and reducing unwanted heat dissipation. Also on show, was the touch screen and download software for the popular Vigil BVR20 Microdrive 20-zone Voice Alarm routing matrix. The software enables engineers to re-program the BVR20 on site from their laptop computer - saving time and money. Finally, the new Vigil CommuniCare is a communication system developed for public buildings containing refuge areas. It allows wheelchair-bound personnel to be kept in contact with fire office

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Dutch newcomer Alcons Audio made its first public appearance since its formation by ex-Stage Accompany personnel, and was showing its first major development to the market. The RBN 601 is a 6" professional ribbon transducer with a peak power handling of 1000W, boasting high efficiency and low distortion - around one-tenth that of conventional drivers, say Alcons. It features two pending patents, and was developed by senior R&D engineer Philip de Haan.

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: The past three years have seen incredible development for Australian Monitor: they have gone from mainly serving their domestic market to having a worldwide network of 42 distributors in that time, and recently presented UK distributor Fuzion with their Distributor of the Year Award for notching up a 1500% increase in sales for the year. Specializing in reliable, effective products for the installation market, at Frankfurt they introduced a range of new products including the AMIS Series mixer-amplifiers (five models) and the AMIS Series of power amplifiers (four models), along with the simple, powerful and affordable DigiPage zone paging system and its smaller version, the DigiPage Jr.

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Celebrating their 20th anniversary, Australian pro audio manufacturer ARX released several new products including additions to the industry standard Equalizer range, the MSX range of signal splitters and the SPL integrated powered loudspeaker range.

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: EAW added its own creation to the growing compact line array market, in the form of the SLAM (Small Line Array Module) KF730. The SLAM system consists of the KF730, a horn-loaded three-way bi-amplified box that, according to EAW, is capable of greater output than any other three-way system near its compact size, and the companion SB730 subwoofer. The modular SLAM system can be easily configured for venues ranging from 100 seats to several thousand. Each KF730 contains two 10" neodymium low frequency cone drivers, two 7" mid frequency cone drivers and two 1" exit neodymium high frequency compression drivers. Power handling for the low frequency is rated at 700W, while the mid and high frequency subsystem is 350W. Impedance for both low and mid/high subsystems is 16 Ohms, which means a single two-channel amplifier can bi-amplify up to ei

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: d&b audiotechnik say they have completed the intensive road-testing period of their two-way active C3 line array module. The C3 and C4 combination was on the road throughout the second half of 2002 in a variety of venues around Europe - with outstanding results, say d&b. The C3 is a horn-loaded design which, unlike other line arrays, can be arrayed not only vertically but also horizontally, and by employing the distinctive 30° angled rear side panels and rigging accessories of the C4 cabinet, it extends even further the scalability of the C4 system.

d&b also highlighted a selection of installation projects that they're involved with. These include the Leipzig Zentralstadion, one of the chosen stadiums for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the prestigious Bolshoi Theatre refurbishment in Moscow and the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay concert hal

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: New from A-T was the AT3060 phantom-powered tube microphone, the newest edition to the 30 Series Line. The 3060 features an all-new large-diaphragm cardioid condenser element, shock-mounted tube assembly and large coupling transformer. Latest additions to AT's Artist Elite Series included the AE3000, AE5100 and AE2500 drum mics.

Also new, the AT899 lavalier mic is available in either black or flesh tone. It has a subminiature omnidirectional element in a rugged 5mm housing, designed for minimal handling and wind noise. A key attraction of the 899 is the standard accessory kit which includes single and double mounts, clothing clip, viper clip, magnetic clip, two open-pore foam windscreens, and two metal mesh element covers and a carrying case.

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Audace, manufacturer of the Intelliplate range of programmable AV controllers announced the online script library for its SuperHub AV controller, which was launched at PLASA 2002 and is now shipping. Available for free download from the company website, the library provides real examples of how SuperHub can be used to control a variety of industry-standard third-party AV devices. Audace also showed their new full-colour wireless touchscreen, which uses standard IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN technology to communicate with the SuperHub controller via ethernet.

UK - KAVE Theatre Services, a specialist in theatre and theatrical education services based in West Sussex, is extending its services to the Midlands and North of the country, by opening a new office in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, on 23 April 2003. This new Midlands division will be based at Wirksworth Station, which itself is seeing rejuvenation, as plans to re-open the Wirksworth to Duffield line are well underway.

Established for over 30 years, KAVE is now a major supplier of theatrical services to theatres, concert halls, schools, colleges and conference venues. Demand for its specialist expertise and services has geographically widened and the opening of KAVE Theatre Services Midlands represents the company’s desire to offer a regionally responsive service. David Abbott, managing director of KAVE Theatre Services, told us: "The opening of our Midlands division is an

UK / France - Focusrite recently announced a new partnership with French distribution company Audiopole, who will be responsible for the entire range of Focusrite hardware products. Focusrite sales director Chris Gooddie said of the appointment: "We're delighted to have the opportunity to work with Bruno and his team at Audiopole. They are a company who match technical excellence and commercial know-how with the best in customer care - a combination that makes them the perfect partner for the Focusrite brand."

(Lee Baldock)

Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: EAW co-founder Ken Berger was at Frankfurt in his new role as Mackie's VP of international sales and marketing. He highlighted the group's forthcoming branding clarification, which will see Mackie producing equipment for the high volume retail market, as well as live sound reinforcement products, while EAW continues to fill the high-end touring and concert sound reinforcement role, and RCF the industrial market. Meanwhile, Greg Mackie's original brand from way back in 1969 - Tapco - has re-emerged, and will be bringing Mackie technology to a wide range of entry-level audio products. First in the line at Frankfurt was the Tapco 6306, a 6-channel mixer featuring two low-noise mic preamps, two instrument inputs, a stereo aux return to monitor, two aux sends, 8-segment LED metering as well as separate phones and control room level controls.

UK - UK Steel have welcomed the preliminary ruling by a WTO disputes panel that the tariffs imposed by the USA last year on steel imports contravene WTO rules. The news will also be welcomed by those in this industry who export steel-based products to the US.

Ian Rodgers, deputy director commented: "This confirms what we said from the start - that there was no legal justification for the US government to impose these measures at a time when steel imports had been falling consistently for three years. The WTO rules are quite clear - such measures can only be taken in response to a current increase in imports."

Responding to the possibility that the US government might appeal the ruling, Rodgers said: "This was such a cut-and-dried case from the start, it would make most sense for the US government to end the tariffs immediately, rather than suffer the humiliation

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