LONDON – PLASA 2011 got underway Sept. 11 with its perennial focus on the latest new gear. Highlights included Midas' PRO2/PRO2C, Lake's LM 44 digital audio system processor and Lab.gruppen's E Series amplifiers. Also drawing interest were Outline's GTO-DF, JoeCo's BlackBox BBR64-MADI Recorder and Allen & Heath's Waves SoundGrid interface for iLive, among many other new gear offerings. The show runs through Sept. 14.
Allen & Heath's Waves SoundGrid option module for the iLive digital mixing Series provides a low latency 64 channel bi-directional interface to SoundGrid. The new M-Waves module opens up the opportunity to use Waves' SoundGrid plug-in processing and concurrent multi-track playback and recording. The company also focused on the various control surface and MixRack components from its iLive digital mixing family, plus the range of audio networking possibilities such as MADI and Dante, and additional control options including the Allen & Heath PL Series remote controllers, iLive Editor software, iLive Tweak app for iPhone and the MixPad app for iPad.
Avid highlighted its VENUE and Pro Tools live sound workflows and provided hands-on demo stations equipped with Avid's Mix Rack and SC48 systems. The company also focused on live-sound technology demonstrations with an eye to the future of VENUE and Pro Tools integration with SC48 recording 32 channels into Pro Tools via FireWire.
Bose featured its Bose RoomMatch series of progressive directivity array loudspeakers and the PowerMatch PM8500 & PM8500N configurable professional power amplifiers, plus updated Bose Modeler and ControlSpace Designer software.
Cadac introduced the CDC Eight digital live production console, targeted high end sound touring and fixed installation applications. Cadac also announced that its DM1600, launched at Prolight+Sound this year, will be rebranded as the CDC Four.
Duran Audio featured its new AXYS loudspeakers, including the Flex U-12G2, U-14G2 and UFM-265. Both the U-12 and U-14 as well as the UFM-265 are fitted with built in amplification and a DSP. Both are also network-ready and can be controlled and configured using AXYS WinControl software. The U-12 consists of a 6.5" driver and a soft dome tweeter while the U-14 and UFM-265 has an additional 6.5" driver.
EAW presented new additions to the MicroWedge series of stage monitors. The MicroWedge8 (MW8) and MicroWedge10 (MW10) are a small-format continuation of the MW line. Although even smaller than the compact MW12 and MW15, EAW says the MW8 and MW10 offer volume levels and voicing that rival full-size industry-standard 12-inch and 15-inch monitors.
FBT featured its EvoMaxX speakers, made with new neodymium woofers, more powerful Class-D amplifiers with switch mode power supply and a digital signal processor with four presets to provide quick equalization contours. The series consists of four powered and three passive models, which vary in woofer size, but all feature a 1-inch B&C HF driver, apart from the EvoMaxX 9Sa powered 15-inch subwoofer. The cabinets feature Class-D 400W LF and 100W HF power amplifiers with switch mode power supplies with passively cooled circuitry.
HK Audio featured its new Vortis series of six loudspeaker models. All are available with three choices of rotatable horns (60°x40°, 90°x55° and 60°-90°x55°), any desired RAL color and in weatherproof outdoor versions. IL 112, IL 115, IL 118, and IL 218 subwoofers are also available to extend the Vortis series' low-frequency range and performance.
Harman's AKG DMS 700 V2 digital wireless system, featured at the Sound Technology stand, offers 512-bit encryption, ultra-low latency and the new DPT700 bodypack. DMS700 v2 is now also available with a hand-held transmitter featuring AKG's D7 dynamic capsule; users of the original DMS 700 wireless system can update their units through a software and hardware update. Harman's JBL Professional featured its Marquis Dance Club Series loudspeakers. Models include the MD1 ultrahigh-frequency module; the MD2 horn-loaded 8-inch mid-high-frequency module and the MD3 horn-loaded low-frequency module. Other JBL products include the MD46 4-way quad-amplified system with dual 15" woofers, CMCD-82H mid-frequency driver, 2432H compression driver and two ST400 super tweeters, the MD49 4-way quad-amplified system, the MD52 2-way full-range system with a 12-inch 262H Differential Drive woofer and 2408H-1 compression driver on a 90 x 50-degree Progressive Transition horn, and the MD55 2-way full-range system with a 15" woofer. Completing the system is the MD7 subwoofer with dual 18" 2269H Differential Drive subwoofers with four-inch, dual-voice-coil, dual-gap vented gap cooling drivers. The MD1, MD2, MD3 and MD7 ultra-high, mid-high-frequency, low-frequency and subwoofer modules can be combined to create a complete 5-way loudspeaker system, while the Marquis Dance Club Series MD46, MD49, MD52 and MD55 are standalone, full-range loudspeakers that can be used in a variety of room sizes and applications.
JoeCo LTD featured the MADI and Dante versions of the BlackBox Recorder. The MADI version combines one-touch multi-track recording to USB hard drives with the industry's greatest digital common denominator, MADI I/O. Designed for capturing live performances, the 1RU recorder allows multi-channel audio to easily be captured and played back with a USB 2.0 drive, in Broadcast WAV format, without the need for a computer. The Dante version stems from a collaboration between JoeCo and Audinate, creators of the Dante digital media networking solution.
Lab.gruppen's E Series targets the installation market with a 1U range of power amplifiers with low power consumption. The E Series incorporates many of the concepts that debuted with the company's PLM 20000Q touring amplifier, but in a 1U, install-centric, Energy Star 2.1 compliant platform. Models include three two-channel power amplifiers, all incorporating Lab.gruppen's IDEEA (IntelliDrive Energy Efficient Amplifier) technologies. All are housed in 1U cabinets, weigh less than 5 kg (11 pounds), and feature universal power supplies for operation anywhere in the world. Nominal output power ratings per channel (@ 4 ohms or 70 V) are 600 W, 400 W, and 200 W for, respectively, the E 12:2, E 8:2, and E 4:2. However, significantly higher per-channel outputs are possible with asymmetrical loading and proper setting of Lab.gruppen's proprietary Rail Sensing Limiter (RSL).
L-Acoustics' new ARCS II could be seen at SSE Audio Group's stand. It debuts more than a decade and a half after the introduction of L-Acoustics' ARCS.
Lake expanded its LM Series with launch of LM 44 Digital Audio System Processor. It has much in common with the LM 26, but offers four analog input and four analog outputs, in contrast to the LM 26's 2-in/6-out. In addition, the LM 44 accommodates 8-in/8-out AES3 and 4-in/8-out Dante digital audio transport.
LD Systems introduced its UA1, part of the UNO Array Series. The Stinger Series also expanded with the LDEB212 for high power live applications.
Line 6 featured its XD-V digital wireless microphone systems, including the XD-V30HS and XD-V70HS headset microphone systems, which join the company's XD-V30 and XD-V70 handheld and lavalier systems.
Mackie featured its HDA High-Definition Arrayable Powered Loudspeaker, which recently joined its HD Series – now ranging from the ultra-compact HD1221, the HD1521 two-way and HD1531 three-way loudspeakers, and the 15" HD1501 and 18" HD1801 subwoofers. Each HDA module delivers 1200W of peak system power and houses an EAW-designed 12" LF driver and dual Beyma 1.7" HF compression drivers, mounted into a multi-cell horn. Other features include a 100×20° coverage pattern and integrated rigging hardware that allows for up to four HDAs and two Mackie HD1801 powered subwoofers per side. A three-position voicing switch provides easy set up of larger rigs and up to two modules can be pole-mounted directly above a subwoofer for a high-output portable PA system.
Martin Audio once again featured its MLA system, which won the Gold Award at PLASA last year.
Midas featured its new PRO2 and PRO2C, designed to bring features and functionality of the Midas XL8 down to a more accessible price point. The company also featured its VeniceF-16R, a 16-channel rack mount variant of its new "digi-log" compact mixing console, the VeniceF .
Neutrik launched two new products – the NP2XL jumboPLUG and NP2RX-Timbre. The NP2XL jumboPLUG features a turned one-piece tip connection as used in all Neutrik plugs to eliminate any possibility of noise found with riveted connections. The NP2RX-Timbre jack plug allows a guitarist to change the timbre of a guitar sound from neutral, clear sound to warm characteristics in four steps by turning a knob on the plug.
Out Board previewed iPad and iPhone apps developed to control the TiMax2 SoundHub mix matrix, playback server and audio show control matrix.
Outline's GTO (Grand Touring Outline) expands with the GTO-DF (Down-fill). The company also featured native iOS APP (not a Web link) that gives users control of the company's Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. systems – including the complex group management that a line-array with adjustable horizontal dispersion implies – and the new iSM series of stage monitors.
QSC featured their new KLA Series Active Line Array System, which joins the company's K Series and KW Series. With similar user interfaces and sonic performance characteristics throughout the family, the K Family models can easily be mixed and matched to suit a wide range of applications for installed sound, as well as rental and portable PA.
RCF featured one of the recent additions to the TT+ High Definition Touring and Theatre range from RCF, the TTL11A digitally steerable array. With the addition of the new TTS26-A subwoofer, the new column array can serve as a compact and high definition live sound system.
Renkus-Heinz featured new products on the Polar Audio stand: IC2 (IC Squared) high powered, medium format digitally steerable loudspeaker system. It can be used as a stand-alone high-performance loudspeaker, a small ground stack or a flown array of up to 20 cabinets. Also new is the self-powered CF101-LA Modular Point Source Array, which can be flown, ground-stacked or pole-mounted. Up to four CF101-LA cabinets can be arrayed to provide a 90×60 degree coverage pattern, delivering up to 9 dB more output and tighter vertical pattern control than a conventional single cabinet, according to Renkus-Heinz. A non-powered version, CFX101-LA, is also available.
Riedel Communications unveiled its new AVB product range to the broadcast and installation markets, demonstrated how to furnish global live coverage without satellite links, how modular multiplexing/de-multiplexing solutions can simplify fiber installations and how to realize a cost-effective 50G real-time media network with MediorNet Compact .
Roland featured its R-1000 48-Track recorder/player. It works with the V-Mixing System and can be used for virtual sound checks, rehearsals, playback and training. It can also be used with any digital console with a MADI output via the Roland S-MADI REAC MADI Bridge. The company also featured its M-480 48-channel live digital mixing console, the flagship console of the V-Mixing System.
Yamaha featured its updated StageMix app (StageMix 2.0, free from Apple's iTunes), giving users of M7CL and LS9 greater levels of wireless control. The new version also adds Head Amp gain control for each input channel, Scene Memory management (including Store, Recall, Scene Titles and Comments) and other refinements. Yamaha also introduced its VS series of installation loudspeakers, with two models, VS4 andVS6, aimed at the corporate market.
Wigwam Acoustics provided and operated DiGiCo's new SD Ten and SD11 digital mixers for live performances at the TFM Pavilion.
