Germany - At the forthcoming ProLight&Sound exhibition (Frankfurt, 28-31 March), Axxent will introduce its new constant voltage audio amplifier with 2 x 500W of continuous power in a constant voltage line of 100V.

All features of the AX-2500T are targeted at professional audio installations, say the company: front gain controls are detachable and can be protected against misuse, while all other controls and in and output connectors are situated on the back panel for maximum protection.

Input connectors are XLR-type and each input is slaved through an XLR male connector. The power connector is an IEC type and is detachable also. The 100V output connectors are touch-proof binding posts. DIP switches provide limiting function per channel, 40/80Hz subsonic filters, stereo or parallel operation mode. Safe operating temperature is provided by a controlled low-noise fan. Axxent is al

USA - Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems Inc has announced the NSCA debut of the LS9 series of digital mixing consoles (Orlando, 15-17 march). The 32- and 64-input consoles were designed specifically for sound reinforcement requirements within small- to medium-sized houses of worship, regional sound companies, and corporate audio/video presentation, say the company. The consoles can also be used as auxiliary mixer/channel expanders for the M7CL and PM5D consoles.

The LS9 series console is housed in a small footprint frame, and consists of built-in mic pre amps on the first layer of both the 16- and 32-input consoles. The console shares the same sound quality, built-in effects, EQ, and dynamics processing as Yamaha's M7CL console.

Currently available, the LS9 series will replace the Yamaha GA series analogue console. The LS9 provides a low-cost digital solution, intuitive and easy

UK - Beadlight will be launching five new products at the ARC Show next week (Business Design Centre, London, 12-13 February). Based on their proprietary diffusion and video technologies, these Bead*light LED fixtures add a rich ambiance to the local environment through their ability to work together as an automated, integrated 2D or 3D screen array. The ice*lighting range, of which these new products form part, offers designers the ability to create unique dispersed screen features over which animations, textures and colours seamlessly flow, say the company.

The ice*lighting products being officially launched at ARC are: Panel - five-pixel panel (L 510mm / W 110mm / D 85mm); Crystal Cube - an artistic version of the ice*lighting cube where the 'circular' light source is contained within a clear acrylic housing; Pixule - the ice*lighting version of the Bead*light capsule which a

UK - Entertainment lighting supplier White Light will be at ARC 07, the architectural, retail and commercial lighting show, which takes place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, North London from February 12-13. White Light will be on the Enliten Architectural Lighting stand, M35, demonstrating a range of products for which they are the exclusive UK distributors.

Those looking to control lighting remotely without the need cables will be interested in the W-DMX wireless DMX system from Wireless Solutions in Sweden, currently in use on the Light Elements project in Maidstone.

Designers looking for cost-effective playback of pre-programmed lighting will be interested in the showSTORE and miniSTORE DMX playback systems from ELC which record and playback DMX data from shows created on full-featured lighting controllers and then play it back triggered by conditions such as c

France - This year marks the 25th anniversary of the SIEL exhibition and d&baudiotechnik will be exhibiting with their expanded Remote network includingthe latest ROPE C Version 2.0.7 software.

This exhibition for the live entertainment and events industry will be staged at thethe Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles and will be held from 11-14 February. Also on show will be d&b's J-Series line array system, which was launched at last year's SIEL. The recently introduced M4 stage monitor will also be exhibited as well as d&b's Q-Series loudspeaker range.

All these products will be presented by d&b's French office along with theirregional partners, who will be available to provide any technicalinformation or answer any questions on stand number K005.

(Chris Henry)

UK - Allen & Heath has introduced theXone:2D, a follow-up product to the Xone:3Dmixer/controller. The Xone:2D is a combination of a four stereo channel USBsoundcard and MIDI controller, which will enable DJs to combine with theirexisting analogue mixer to create a complete Digital DJ mixing system,suitable for integration with leading DJ software such as Ableton Live andTraktor DJ Studio.

The high quality USB soundcard can operate in either of two modes - stereochannels for three inputs from a PC and one return, or two channels from a PC and tworeturns. A large array of connections are provided to enable easyconnection into any DJ setup, so the 2D can be directly connected toturntables, CD players or linked to an external mixer. Digital IO (opticaland coaxial) is also provided. The Xone:3D BPM counter with LED display isincluded, which is capable of detecting a beat in music pro

France - ETC, through its French partner ATF - Avab Transtechnik France - will onceagain be showing off its newest and latest products at SIEL, including Congoand its little brother Congo jr, which has been a runaway success in Franceand across Europe.

The Congo console was designed " to be the most complete platform forcontrol of any device - whether that happens to be conventional dimming,automated luminaires or media servers - without losing the feel of a classiclighting control system," says Avab software developer Anders Ekvall. Otherteam members included Avab Transtechnik France's Jean-Louis Pernette andChristian Rezgui, who were instrumental in directing product development.

Just a year later, ETC introduced the Congo jr, with the same functionalityof Congo but with a smaller footprint and smaller price tag - aimed at venues like rehearsal halls or black-box t

USA - Vestax has announced the new VCI-100 DJ MIDI controller. USB based and featuring two jog wheels with sensor and control technology from Vestax's industry standard turntables, the VCI-100 provides professional DJs and Producers with the "feel" of hardware mixing in the software realm.

Vestax says the VCI-100 provides features that "blur the line between hardware mixing and software control". The chassis is roughly the size of a standard Laptop, thin but highly durable, compact, and convenient for transportation.

The Jog wheel controls on the VCI-100 are constructed with high resolution pulse sensors, touch sensors, and acrylic platter mechanisms. With this combination, operations such as pitch bending, scanning and scratching can be performed with speed and accuracy. Sixty-sixsoftware parameters are assignable to the VCI-100's control section.

The cr

UK - Stage Electrics has added the Chroma-Q Color Web 250 system to its hire stock - 500 square metres of the product is now available. The Color Web 250 is a flexible low resolution LED matrix system offering 16 individually addressed colour mixing cells per square metre. Each piece of Color Web has connectors on all four sides allowing for any shape and size system to be built, to fit most applications. Rated at IP65, the Color Web is designed for both indoor and outdoor events.

Stage Electrics has also added the Pixelmad media server to its hire stock to support the Color Web system. When used together, Color Web is transformed in to a fully controllable low resolution display allowing the lighting designer to play back animated images across custom built areas. For less intensive applications there is a simple DMX control mode available to the user.

Adrian Searle, head of

France - DMX pioneers dAFTdATA have designed a new range of DMX distribution products that are launched at the SIEL trade show in Paris this week.

dAFTdATA's patented mDMX system works by modulating the DMX data over the mains power cable - removing the need for data cabling - providing a competitively priced multi purpose solution. The system, which won a PLASA 2006 Award for Innovation, can now be configured to work either as a DMX to Ethernet convertor, or a DMX to mDMX convertor.

Each unit works as a transceiver, and so can be either an encoder from DMX to Ethernet/mDMX or a decoder from Ethernet/mDMX back to DMX. In Ethernet mode the system works with either ARTNET or WENDI protocols. In mDMX mode, a network of multiple nodes up to 400m away can be set up extremely simply. mDMX is now available in a green annodised aluminium housing and has an RRP of £400 or

Italy / UK - Leading Italian pro audio manufacturer FBT Elettronica has announced the launch of its architectural/commercial installation product range - FBT Audio Contractor - into the UK market with the appointment of CIE-Group to exclusively represent the brand.

Already a pro audio/music speaker brand throughout Europe, the addition of the 'Audio Contractor' range places FBT in the market for contracts and installations for PA, VA and AV.

CIE-Group - representatives for many of the UK's leading commercial audio brands including Inter-M, Armstrong i-ceilings, Atlas Sound, IC audio and EverFocus CCTV - will be undertaking a nationwide launch of the complete product range throughout the spring of this year.

CIE-Group head of marketing, Chris Edwards is highly enthusiastic about the announcement, saying: "The appointment of FBT Audio Contractor is an essential part of ou

UK - Robolights Ltd. the UK based manufacturer of stage lighting products has expanded the range of its Smart Socket product to include a model specifically designed to accept BS EN 60309 (BS4343) type 16A socket outlets.

Since its launch, Smart Socket has become one of the standard products used on internally wired lighting bars used primarily in theatre, TV, architectural and retail installations where multiple power outlets for lighting are required.

Technical director, Julian Baycock explained that 16A outlets are more often being specified as an alternative to the conventional 15A round pin 'stage lighting standard'. This is to accommodate moving head lighting fixtures, which are often fitted with 16A connectors, or for outdoor installations where higher IP ratings are essential. In response, Robolights added the 16A version to its Smart Socket range that already includes

UK - Suitable for a wide variety of sound reinforcement applications, the Tannoy Di Series is a range of compact surface mount weather resistant loudspeakers offering premium performance and ease of install with style, says the company.

Equipped with Tannoy's point source, constant directivity drive unit technologies (Dual Concentric or ICT), Tannoy claims that the Di (designer installation) products deliver an acoustic performance of outstanding clarity, definition and detail with class leading vocal intelligibility. All models are full bandwidth loudspeakers and will satisfy a host of commercial, professional and residential applications where environment durability (both indoor and outdoor) and high quality sonic performance are required. Suitable for background or foreground music systems in applications as diverse as theme parks, retail premises, restaurants and café

The Netherlands - Playing on "home-turf" Alcons Audio were present at the ISE show in Amsterdam with a representation of its pro-ribbon speaker systems of both the general product line-up as well as the (home)cinema product line-up. Both offering solutions for a wide variety of installations.

The CRMS, Cinema Ribbon Monitor System is a hybrid 3-way main- /2-way surround-system. Featuring a RBN401 pro-ribbon driver, the MHF section can act both as MHF section for the main/front system, as well as full-range surround system. This design results in a very uniform sound stage throughout the listening area. Applications include screening-rooms, post-production houses, dubbing-stages, as well as pro-level home-cinema systems.

The 3-way CR1 sound system offers a wide frequency-response in an unusually-shallow cabinet depth of only 17cm. Due to the small size and light weigh

Germany - In sound reinforcement applications, the highest possible quality is required for the widest variety of events. Speakers that are universally applicable are therefore particularly prized. Both the acoustic and the mechanical design of all cabinets in Dynacord's Variline range have been optimised for multi-functional applications.

The Variline loudspeaker boxes are equipped with premium components, says the company. Ideal for use as full-range boxes capable of delivering top quality reproduction of music and the spoken word, the systems are suitable as satellites or delay boxes in larger audio systems, says the company.

When used in horizontal format to cover a wider variety of applications - particularly high-quality installations - the midrange and high-frequency horns can be rotated through 90°; from the 12" two-way box upwards, all the full-range models c

Germany - The Prolight+Sound show, held in Frankfurt from 28 to 31 March, will see the European debut of NuQ, the latest addition to Turbosound's range of professional loudspeakers.

NuQ systems are integrated, networkable sound reinforcement packages designed for portable professional audio applications. They are offered either as digitally self-powered units or as discrete loudspeakers used in conjunction with Turbosound controllers and power amplifiers. TurboDrive software gives real time control of Turbosound controllers and powered loudspeakers individually or over a network.

NuQ systems make use of advanced neodymium magnets, low distortion rotatable high frequency waveguides and pre-bent plywood construction to provide the highest possible performance, flexibility, handling and reliability, says the company. Early production units have already been road-tested by Britann

UK - Trantec has announced that it has added to the potential of its recently launched S4.16 UHF radio mic system with the introduction of a 'Racked n Ready' version, which delivers the 16-channel system pre-fitted into a 19" professional flightcase. "The S4.16 system combines world-class manufacturing with an understanding of challenging RF applications," the company says, adding that the compact, turnkey system will appeal to theatres, schools, churches, audio-visual and MI applications.

The S4.16 features 16 selectable frequencies, and is also complete with antenna distribution, head amplifiers, cables and stands. These 16 frequencies incorporate the four license-free channels used in its sister product, Trantec's S4.4, which all operate indermodulation free. Its remote antennae is connected through Trantec's antenna distribution units, which gives the S4.16 ma

USA - Chauvet Lighting, known internationally for their ranges of value-driven DJ lighting products have now launched a brand new range of high specification installation effects and moving heads aimed at the presentation, late night venue and live performance markets.

With a significant change in direction to meet the needs of the professional installation sector, Chauvet's brand new Q Series and Legend products bring a host of moving heads, scanners and colour washes.

The new Q Series includes a line of mirror and barrel scanners, moving yoke spots and washes from 150W right through to 575W. Leading the Q Series range, the Q-Spot 575 features striking colours, motorised focus, vector movement, full range dimming and 16-bit resolution, lending itself to high-end club install applications. The 16-channel unit comes equipped with an intense 575-watt HMI lamp with a life expecta

UK - Funktion One, pioneering designers and manufacturers of high-power professional loudspeaker systems will be launching two new small size loudspeakers at ProLight+Sound Frankfurt in March. The F55 and F81 feature excellent bass definition and high vocal intelligibility, attributes not usually present in this genre of small size product. These new products would be an excellent choice for use in distributed systems and ancillary zones as well as allowing even the smallest venues to benefit from the exceptional clarity and purity of Funktion One sound.

Alongside the renowned Resolution Series touring and installation loudspeakers, new stage monitors and Dance Stack systems, Funktion One will also be exhibiting the new F221 double 21" bass enclosure. The F221 manages to reconcile the normally mutually exclusive parameters of seriously deep bass and upper bass definition de

UK - D&M Professional Europe has announced the introduction of an external drive unit to help maximise sales of the new Denon HD2500 Professional Multi-Media Player.

This low-cost option takes advantage of the HD2500's standard Denon drive unit connection, which allows it to interface with either a Denon DN-D4000 or DN-D4500 twin CD/MP3 player, giving the customers the ability to play from CDs.

D&M Europe's product manager, David Morbey, says: "The HD2500 is an all-in-one media player and controller for professional DJs and was purpose-designed to offer complete command and control over Denon dual-tray CD/MP3 players such as the DN-D4500 and DN-D4000 drive section.

"Given he revolutionary nature of the DN-HD2500 we anticipated that many customers would be new to Denon and would not have one of these previous models; so we decided to take the CD drive unit from the

USA - Innovative loudspeaker manufacturer Danley Sound Labs says it will introduce the world's first high output loudspeaker that is seamlessly arrayable both horizontally and vertically at the NSCA Expo 2007 in Orlando, Florida (15-17 March).

A sibling of Danley's SH-50, the company says its new SH-25 delivers 10dB more output with a perfect, 25° x 25° beamwidth. Users can hard pack multiple SH-25s in any direction to effectively create the world's only perfect multi-cell horn, the company says. The SH-25 will be demonstrated during NSCA in demo room W307A. Composed of a single 1" tweeter, four 4" mids, and eight 6.5" woofers, a single SH-25 covers the frequency spectrum evenly from 80Hz to 18kHz and sounds transparent and true even with no equalization, Danley claim. When four of the 28" x 28" x 42" units are packed together, the low-end d

Germany - With its Compact Mixing System (CMS), Dynacord offered practical complete solutions. Now, with the CMS 2200, the manufacturer is expanding the series to include a system capable of meeting a wider range of requirements.

The CMS 1000 and CMS 1600 models, have six and twelve mono channels respectively as well as the four stereo channels. The merits of the CMS systems include high-quality channel strips as well as a master section that, despite its compactness, offers seven-band equalizers for the main L/R mix or monitor outs as well as two feedback filters. Two independent effects blocks, each with 99 presets optimised for live performance, round off the feature set. The advantages include: rapid setting-up times, a saving in space on the stage or front of house, and the elimination of potential errors, such as those resulting from the faulty or erroneous connection of e

USA - NSCA 2007 will be one of the busiest in Renkus-Heinz's history as the company introduces several major new products, both on stand 1020 and in demo room W203A.

Renkus-Heinz will open a new era in powered loudspeakers at NSCA 2007 by introducing RHAON - a combination of integral amplification, DSP, digital audio networking, control and monitoring - to the entire Renkus-Heinz powered product lineup, beginning with the all-new Sygma SG/SGX line.

The Sygma SG/SGX line, also making its début at NSCA, integrates the capabilities of loudspeakers, amplifiers, processors and digital audio networks in a series of installation-specific cabinets, with a choice of powered or non-powered models.

Renkus-Heinz will also expand the Iconyx product line at NSCA with the new self-powered IC7 and externally powered ICX7 Iconyx array modules. Both are passive linear arrays with fixed

France / Germany - At the forthcoming ProLight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt (28-31 March), French pro audio manufacturer Nexo plans to launch new additions to its internationally successful GEO S Series of tangent-array loudspeakers, designed for both fixed and portable installations. The presentation of this new design at the ProLight +Sound show is concurrent with three prestigious stadia contracts, which are being delivered in France.

Paired with Nexo's proprietary design software GEOSoft2, the new building blocks in the scalable GEO S system offer absolute predictability, and full integration potential with EtherSound networks. Although the new cabinets are aimed principally at the design and installation market - outdoors in stadia and arenas, indoors in nightclubs and live venues - they also offer mobile deployment options to PA companies, opening up new possibilities for

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