Germany - This week, HK Audio is preparing to roll out the largest product launch in the firm’s 35+ year history. In the past year, HK Audio has taken on a number of new audio specialists, and this new team has been instrumental in the development of the new pro audio range, which are on display at HK Audio’s main Prolight+Sound booth. First up is the Cosmo integrative line array system family, which is comprised of three different system models and was developed under the premise of offering an extremely flexible and easily configurable solution in the professional PA sector. Cosmo combines state-of-the-art audio qualities with ingeniously simple handling and unbeatable economic efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Next up is Contour X, a new point source PA flagship series designed to offer extreme sound pressure levels from compact solid birch multiplex enclosur
Germany - TMB and Company NA will once again partner this year at Prolight + Sound, Frankfurt, bringing a blend of fellowship with innovative, high-performance technology. Now a tradition at select Messe Frankfurt shows, Solaris Flare IP HD outdoor LED fixtures can be seen lighting the Grandhotel Hessischer Hof, opposite the Messe main entrance, every night during the show. HD Single-head and HR dual-head versions of Flare IP are available for a variety of architectural applications and can be seen up close at the show stand. This year TMB introduces the ProPlex IQ Tester, the FIRST Ethernet tester for entertainment production. Inspired by input from top production and staging professionals, the IQ Tester is a true “all in one” device, and a watershed addition to the ProPlex range of Data Distribution Devices. Several additional new products can be seen, inc
Germany - Crest Audio’s Versarray PRO powered line array, makes its entrance at ProLight + Sound 2018 this week. Comprising the Versarray PRO VR112 line array element and the VR-PRO 215 sub, Versarray PRO is suitable for all mid-sized line array applications including live entertainment, theatres, houses of worship and more. With integrated Dante audio networking, built-in DSP, innovative flying hardware and world class components, the Versarray PRO powered line array delivers premium quality audio in a versatile, easy-to-set-up, networkable package, says the company. The VR112 benefits from Crest Audio’s latest-generation Mark III ribbon drivers and proprietary CLEAR FORM Waveguide for crystalline high end reproduction. The low end is served by the 12” NEO Black Widow neodymium loudspeaker with dual 4” voice coils which works in conjunction with Crest’s pate
Germany - Powersoft will leverage the international platform of this year’s Prolight + Sound show to ensure the widest possible audience their first look at the new M-Force. Announced as M-force 301P01, the innovative transducer has been updated with a series of additional features to simplify the workload of OEM partners and will be unveiled on the Powersoft stand (Hall 3.1 C17). M-force is now available as the M-force 01 long throw linear motor for infra sub applications and the M-force 02 short throw linear motor for high acceleration applications. With longer linear displacement, M-Force 01 is the perfect tool for direct radiation and bandpass applications, enabling manufacturers to keep cabinet sizes to a minimum whilst allowing for flawless infra-bass reproduction. M-Force 02 is designed to grant reliability under extreme loads, such as bandpass applications and load
Germany - The Chauvet Professional Maverick, STRIKE and COLORado series of fixtures have earned widespread praise as well as a large following in recent years, thanks to their high output, brightness and reliable performance. Now the company is “taking these popular series to the next level” by introducing products at Prolight + Sound that “open even more creative possibilities for lighting designers”. Visitors to the Chauvet stand will get a first- hand look at the new Maverick Storm 1 Wash, an IP65-rated LED moving fixture; the STRIKE P38, an IP65-rated compact warm white LED blinder/strobe; and the COLORado Solo Batten, an IP65 RGBAW LED batten that produces a seamless and unique edge-to-edge homogenized appearance without visible round “eyes” or pixels. “The new fixtures allow us to offer more versatility in three very important series of products t
Germany - Outline is set to announce the launch of its latest concept at Prolight+Sound 2018. Following an evolutionary path from the influential Butterfly design, the new Superfly compact line-source enclosure “sets new standards in performance for a loudspeaker of these dimensions”. Weighing under 38kg (83.8 lb) per module yet with prodigious acoustic potential and class-leading dispersion control, Superfly integrates within the existing Outline portfolio and can be readily paired with any of their subwoofer designs. Powered by the company’s own DSP-equipped X8 amplifiers, Superfly-based systems are flexible, powerful, predictable, quick and easy to deploy and convenient to transport, contributing vital operational efficiencies to any live sound scenario, says the company. Visitors to the show will be able to hear Superfly for themselves in the PL+S Live
Germany - Chamsys will launch its QuickQ series of consoles at Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt. Designed to put more powerful lighting control in the hands of students, theatre/house of worship volunteers, and programmers, regardless of experience level or budget, the console is suitable for smaller-scale shows. Available in three models, the QuickQ range features an intuitive interface and a conveniently large 9.7” touchscreen. Helpful prompts and videos accelerate the learning process, making it easy even for inexperienced users to set up, program and operate the console. Among the console’s user-friendly features are easy-to-understand buttons and faders, simple colour selection menu, readily accessible intensity control tools, and fingertip-controlled zooming and scrolling. The three models in the QuickQ series are: QuickQ 10 - supports one universe,
UK - Lincolnshire-based loudspeaker manufacturer, Logic Systems Pro Audio is set to launch its third new product range inside six months, at PLASA Focus Leeds 2018. In a bid to ‘compete with the best products in the global marketplace’ the company’s team has been bolstered by the arrival of experienced systems specialist Ivor Green, who is overseeing the current development programme. “Our new products perform to the highest standards, utilising the latest, innovative technology,” says Logic Systems’ general manager Mickey Edwards, “which is matched with the design of new loudspeaker drivers producing high levels of performance. “Our development work has been significant, resulting in loudspeaker products that offer performance innovations among the best available in the world marketplace.” The first introduction was the Ci Series of cabin
Germany - Absen Europe will showcase and demonstrate its NXTGEN technologies featuring the recently unveiled Polaris and Altair ranges for the rental market. The 105sqm stand is set to make an impact with Absen’s NXTGEN innovations taking pride of place - including its new COBALT (Chip-on-Board Advanced Light Technology) platform featuring Absen Chip-on-Board (COB) encapsulation technology and NanoShield technologies alongside its HBB (High Brightness Black) with Common Cathode LED driver technology solutions. First to market with its NXTGEN COBALT technology with NanoShield, which has been specifically developed to meet the demands of NPP LED in live event rental applications, Absen has developed the Polaris Series with COBALT. Another industry first, Absen’s NXTGEN HBB (High Brightness Black) technology, is a way to drive black SMD LED at ultra-high bright
Germany - Artistic Licence is set to unveil a number of new products catering for the Art-Net/sACN, DMX512 and DALI lighting control markets. Artistic Licence CEO, Wayne Howell, will be present throughout the show to answer questions, aided by German distribution partner, Soundlight. On show will be the next generation of Artistic Licence ethernet-to-DMX gateways. Based on a more powerful chip technology, the range provides full support for the award-winning Art-Net 4 protocol, giving access to impressive new functionality not offered in earlier releases. The dataLynx II is a 1U 19″ rack mount Ethernet to DMX512 gateway. It converts 12 universes of Art-Net (supports all versions up to Art-Net 4) or sACN ethernet into DMX512/RDM. The product features 12 DMX512/RDM outputs, using front mounted Neutrik connectors: a choice of XLR 3-pin, 5-pin or 8-pin (Ethercon) connec
Germany - Doughty's Lightweight Lighting Stand will make its Prolight & Sound debut this year. Visitors to Hall 3.0 stand E11 can see the new stand, which is currently in prototype format and takes the principles of a Tank Trap but packages them into a neater, more aesthetically pleasing model. Dan Phillips, project sales co-ordinator at Doughty, comments: "The new Lightweight Lighting Stand comprises a flat, round plate and slim tube, slotted at each end to allow cables to run unseen inside it. A 28mm receiver is incorporated in the top of the stand which will take an industry standard 28mm spigot. When used in conjunction with a spigot adapter, the stand can also be used to hold small speakers. This robust piece of kit has a sleeker appearance than the standard Tank Trap and comes with a stacking slot which allows for the stands to be stacked together as well as a carr
Germany - BroadWeigh is set to unveil “exciting new pieces of kit” at this year's Prolight and Sound in Frankfurt including the TwistLink, updated Wind Speed Sensor and a new advanced handheld. With five of the company's product partners from across Europe taking stands at the show, Jonathan Purdue says Prolight + Sound is a good place to debut new products before a truly international audience. "We've been attending the show for some years now and we are always impressed by the turnout and the number of leads that come our way as a result of the networking opportunities it affords us. This year we'll have a presence on the stands of AC-ET (Hall 3.0, Stand F65), Hof Alutec (Hall 3.0, Stand A44), Scanrig (Hall 3.0, StandF33) and SONOSS and Louis Reyners (Hall 3.0, Stand D18) who are exhibiting together, and I will be making appointments with customers and potential
USA - As part of a worldwide rollout that began with the English release in September 2017, global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. has announced the release of the Chinese version of its Vectorworks 2018 software line, which includes Vectorworks Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Designer and Fundamentals, as well as BraceworksTM, a structural load analysis add-on module. The Chinese language version is the final installment to join other languages, including Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Polish, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese and Spanish. “Year after year, Vectorworks makes strides to continue as a superior, global design tool, and this year is no different,” said Cecil Fung, managing director of Mad Macs Technology Distributions, Ltd., the Vectorworks distributor in China. “Chinese designers choose Vectorworks because it offers dual platform capa
Germnay - Media solutions and control specialist ArKaos highlights its newly launched MediaMaster 5.2 software, the latest edition of its signature powerful and flexible real-time video control platform, on stand C67 in Hall 3.0 at Prolight+Sound 2018. ArKaos will use the opportunity, buzz and high profile of the exhibition to preview a new ‘architainment’ orientated control product called An-Ki. Working over the internet, An-Ki enables digital content appearing as projections or on any LED mappable surfaces / devices to be updated, synched or tweaked in just a couple of clicks. The An-Ki enabled layer of MediaMaster now gives content managers remote access to devices and displays from anywhere in the world - quickly, efficiently and reliably. (Jim Evans)
Germany - Eaton’s Zero 88 is looking forward to a busy Prolight+Sound expo in Frankfurt where, on Stand B50 in Hall 3.0, the specialist UK based lighting control manufacturer will highlight a range of innovative lighting control products including its award-winning, flagship FLX console range. The all new FLX S24 and FLX S48 consoles, the original FLX and ZerOS Wing will be demonstrated on an action-packed stand, all running the latest version of console software - ZerOS 7.9.4. Visitors can also see the Chilli Pro range including the new Chilli Pro 12 Bypass dimmer with RCBOs. A selection of data distribution and networking devices from Zero 88 will also be showcased, including Split2.8 RDM, EtherN.8 RDM and the SCD Server Pro DMX generator. Zero 88’s PLASA award winning RigSync is an inventive time-saving feature available within the latest version of ZerOS
Germany - Robe promises to deliver a spectacular stand design, complete with live plus an array of innovative new products. Robe’s new MegaPointe ‘all-in-one’ fixture takes centre stage. Launched in September and enthusiastically received at PLASA, LDI and ISE, Prolight is another major European expo for this fixture. Other highlights will include Tarrantula, a powerful LED beam, wash and effects luminaire; the latest developments in the RoboSpot range of remote follow spotting solutions; two new IP65 rated ParFect products and both RGBA and RGBW versions of the ParFect 150 which are also new. Anolis, the architectural lighting division of Robe, will also have a presence and its own area adjacent to the main Robe stand. Anolis will be showing a selection of premium LED products for ‘architainment’ and architectural environments. The new ArcPar 150 Outdo
UK - Sound Technology, distributor of Harman Professional audio solutions in the UK & Ireland, has announced the immediate availability of the JBL Professional Pro SoundBar PSB-1. Drawing on a long history of industry-leading soundbars in the consumer space, the JBL Pro SoundBar is an active soundbar designed specifically for commercial applications. It has an optimised feature set to address the unique requirements of hotel guest rooms, cruise ship staterooms and other commercial environments. The JBL Pro SoundBar supports both fixed and variable source volume, providing compatibility with both fixed applications (where the volume is controlled at the soundbar) and variable applications (where gain is controlled at the television). In fixed volume scenarios, the Pro SoundBar offers an IR Learning capability. This allows the Pro SoundBar to “learn” the IR puls
Germany - As the halls to the Messe Frankfurt Exhibition Centre open on 10 April, Altman Lighting will be in Hall 3.0 Stand B81 to showcase a number of innovative theatrical and architectural design solutions. With the show debut of the new AP-150 PAR RGBW luminaire, Altman Lighting will also be highlighting its popular Spectra Cyc family of wash luminaires, the versatile Chalice 70W LED downlight, the expansive Gallery LED Series, and their award-winning PHX LED profile and zoom spot ellipsoidals. “We are always excited to exhibit at Prolight + Sound as it gives us a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the performance capabilities of our lighting solutions to a broad audience,” said Jaime Friedstadt, Altman Lighting EMEA sales manager. “Recognised as the premier entertainment lighting exhibition in Europe, Prolight + Sound always draws a very captive audience who ar
Germany - HK Audio, one of the leading German manufacturers of PA systems, is preparing to roll out “the largest product launch in the firm’s 35+ year history” at this year’s Prolight + Sound show in Frankfurt. Says the company, “Having mainly focused on PA systems for musicians in recent years, the brand with the ‘made in Germany’ quality seal is set to begin a new chapter in its illustrious history.” The first examples of a new pro audio range will be on display at HK Audio’s main Prolight + Sound booth, located at Hall 3.1 E91. They are the first components of a highly integrative product family which will comprise HK Audio’s portfolio for professional sound reinforcement services, says the company. (Jim Evans)
China - PR Lighting has extended its AQUA range of IP65-rated waterproof units with the launch of the AQUA 350 BWS. This integrates three features (Beam, Wash and Spot) in a single unit. The fully-featured fixture adopts PR patented technology, combining an advanced Ushio 350W lamp with a superb optical system. Thanks to its IP65 rating it is suited for all outdoor events and activities. Features include: Strobe (0.3-25fps with macros); mechanical dimmer (0-100% linearly adjustable); three prisms (standard 2x6-facet circular prisms and linear prism - plus Frost and Open). Rotation is bidirectional with variable speeds. 3-facet, 16-facet and gradient prisms are optional. The three light angles are 0°-2.5° (Beam mode), 2.5°-42° (Spot mode) and 5°-50° (Wash mode). In terms of movement the AQUA 350 BWS offers Pan of 540° and Tilt of 270°, with auto position
Germany - Visitors to this year’s Prolight + Sound will be able to experience DiGiCo’s much-anticipated Quantum 7 processing, which is making its working debut on Stand 3.1 E40. The company will also reveal further new developments and give visitors another chance to experience the new 4REA4 digital audio networking system. Quantum 7 has been developed with seventh generation FPGA devices that further expand audio processing power, and “ultimately allows DiGiCo to provide its users with an unrivalled amount of flexibility”. Quantum 7 expands an SD7 to over 600 channels of processing in 96kHz operation that can be connected in the outside world to approaching 3000 potential I/Os. The engine is also equipped with eight newly assignable MADI connections and two DMI slots (DiGiCo Multi-Channel Interface) for AoIP and other connectivity options from the complete fa
Germany - At Prolight + Sound (Hall 4, Stand C71) CAST will be showcasing the latest enhancements to BlackTrax, its real-time tracking system. The company will work with an unprecedented range of partners at the show. The latest Version 2.3 of BlackTrax real time motion tracking system is being launched at the show and includes a number of significant new features. “The number of partners demonstrating BlackTrax at Prolight + Sound is a strong indication of how widely accepted our solution is, and how rapidly it is succeeding,” says Andrew Gordon, director of business development for BlackTrax. “BlackTrax can bring a radically new dimension to any production, live performance or broadcast and more. Even in the most complex, most demanding shows, everything is where it needs to be, on time, every time, enabling a show to move to a whole new level.” To ill
UK - Sound Technology, distributor of Martin by Harman professional lighting products in the UK, has announced the immediate availability of the Martin RUSH MH 11 Beam. A replacement for the successful MH 3 Beam, the new RUSH MH 11 Beam is a high-intensity beam moving head designed for high end installations and rental applications. The RUSH MH 11 uses the same 250W Platinum 11R lamp found in the Martin RUSH MH 7 Hybrid but with refined beam optics that provide excellent intensity and sharp mid-air effects in a beam-only fixture. When this lamp is combined with the class-leading optics of the MH 11, the fixture achieves sharp, high-output beam effects with a super-tight 2.6° beam angle. “The new Martin RUSH MH 11 Beam truly has the best intensity and optics capabilities in its class,” says Mark Buss, product manager. “Because it has the same colour tempe
Germany - UK based automation specialist and manufacturer Kinesys will feature an action-packed booth D15 in hall 3.0 at the Prolight+Sound 2018 expo in Frankfurt. The latest Kinesys Apex chain hoist system will be a big focus, and it will also be running an eye-catching motion controlled ‘art-tech’ centrepiece on the stand. Other popular Kinesys products like Elevation 1+, LibraCELL, DigiHoist and the Dimension Pendant controller will be highlighted. Apex incorporates the best of Kinesys’ extensive knowledge and practical experience of working with variable speed chain hoist technology to create a range of safe, reliable and rock-solid hoists and controllers which are designed to maximise creativity for show, stage and environment designers and operators in all fields of entertainment. Central to the Apex system is a versatile hoist controller and two ch
