FRANKFURT, Germany – The pro audio industry is shifting its focus from Winter NAMM to ProLight + Sound/Musikmesse, set for March 24-27, 2010. Some exhibitors prefer to wait until the show itself before tipping their hands, but others are making pre-show announcements of what visitors can expect to see. Here's a preview.
Alcons Audio (Hall 8.0 on stand G50) will feature its CRMS 3-way reference cinema sound system and the LR7 micro line-array, but the company said the main focus will be on Alcons' application of its pro-ribbon technology into a new market segment, to be announced the first day of the show.
Allen & Heath is showing its iDR-16 3U MixRack and iLive-R72 rackmountable Control Surface, billed as a smaller, lighter and less expensive version of the larger touring iLive systems. The company will also be demonstrating the latest version of its iLive software v1.6, launching a new club installation product, the Xone:PB patchbay, Xone:XD40 headphones, and the European debut for the ZED-10 and ZED-10FX mini mixers introduced at Winter NAMM. (Hall 8.0 C22). Details at allen-heath.com .
B&C is showing the 18SW100, a 3,000 watt, neodymium motor with features including B&C's split winding voice coil technology, 57mm peakâ€toâ€peak excursion, a ventilated voice coil gap for reduced power compression and an aluminum demodulation ring that further reduces distortion. The company will also display the new DE7. At just 2.5 inches in diameter, the DE7 was originally targeted at small format line array, but is appropriate for a wide variety of applications, especially when combined with B&C's new, small format ME7 exponential horn. Specifically designed to work with the DE7 high frequency driver, the 60°x40° dispersion makes the combination well-suited to small format two way boxes, instrument amplifiers and more. B&C is also showing the new DE850TN neodymium high frequency driver, with a competitive price/performance ratio.
www.bcspeakers.com.
Behringer is launching a "virtual booth" to coincide with the show, starting March 24, at behringer.com . The company will also have its brand represented at the Trius booth (Hall 8.0 C36).
Cadac will feature its S-Digital mixing system in its final production version, complemented by a "live" console in the Ronnie Lane Mobile Studio Airstream caravan parked on the stand. Also now in final production form, Cadac will display the LIVE1 series, a budget console available in 16/4/2, 24/4/2 and 32/4/2 formats. Cadac will also feature a new series of outboard processors, including the ME2, a dual channel Mic Pre-Amplifier Mixer / EQ with analog outs and a competitively-priced digital I/O and networking interface.
www.cadac-sound.com
KK labs (Hall 8.0, E26) is a new loudspeaker manufacturing company established by Keith R. Klawitter, the founder of KRK Systems Inc., and Timothy Thornton, formerly VP with Apogee Sound. The company, making its debut, is showing the KK labs Raptor-12, a two-way, DSP-powered utility speaker for sound reinforcement applications. Powered by 1,000 watts of Class D amplification, the Raptor-12 features a single 12-inch neodymium woofer, rated at 700 watts, with a 1.4-inch exit compression driver on an 80-degree x 70-degree horn. Also on display is the TAZ15c stage monitor. The two-way coaxial, DSP/Ethernet-controlled powered stage monitor features a 15-inch woofer fabricated using proprietary cone material with a 1.4-inch high frequency composite diaphragm. KK labs launched at Winter NAMM 2010 with the DS8, a DSP/Ethernet-controlled, self-powered, 8-inch, two-way studio monitor.
Meyer Sound is unveiling a self-powered loudspeaker designed for installation, corporate AV and theatre end users. Meyer Sound will also show off the CAL steerable column array loudspeaker and the JM-1P arrayable loudspeaker, along with an expanding line of low-voltage installation solutions. Meyer Sound will also be represented at the AVnu Alliance panel on March 26, and company founders John and Helen Meyer will be at the booth and at the company's March 25 cocktail reception.
Out Board (Hall 5.1, Stand A01) is showing a preview of the TiMax SoundHub's forthcoming S-Version audio show control software. New features include multitrack timeline cue programming, clip editing, looping and volume-profiling, plus waveform-based pan programming. TiMax SoundHub, a multichannel system matrix and audio playback server with 16 to 64 channels in/out with up to 64-tracks of random access audio playback in a single 2U chassis, will be demonstrated with the TiMax Tracker real-time location system. Networking allows TiMax SoundHub to be controlled from multiple PC and Mac clients or touch-panels such as Crestron or AMX. Optional modules provide compatibility with industry-standard audio networking such as MADI, Ethersound, Cobranet and Dante.
Outline (stand F80, hall 8.0) is unveiling an infra-sub with high transduction efficiency (the LAB 21 HS SP); 3D acoustic simulation software package able to import dxf files (OPENARRAY); new amplifiers fitted with a USB interface and processor (DPA Series); and its Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. VLA is now equipped with i-Mode technology and designed to offer "Power over Ethernet." Outline is also unveiling EIDOS, an original series of loudspeaker enclosures conceived for fixed installations. The Flero company is also enabling Frankfurt visitors to listen to Butterfly and Mantas VLA in the outdoor Concert Sound (CSA 06, F 130) demo area. Outline also notes that its updated general catalog and brochures will soon available in pdf format on the firm's Web site.
Proel Group (Hall 8.0 Booth H40) will feature its NET product line, which will be available for purchase as of next spring, and EDGE active, the focus of considerable Proel R&D. The PA line will include the new XENIA series, which was shown for the first time at NAMM. XENIA is a series of Proel loudspeakers, available in black or white, specifically designed for the installation of high-profile sound systems.
Renkus-Heinz (Booth F60 in Hall 8.0) is featuring the latest addition to its IC Live digitally beam steerable loudspeaker series – the new IC Live Low-Mid Module, ICL-LM. Visitors can also hear how the dual IC Live system outside in the Concert Stage Arena adjoining the exhibition halls is performing, with demos set for 11:40 a.m., 2:20 p.m. and 5 p.m. daily, with each demo followed by a Digitally Steerable Sound lecture at the booth. The company's Iconyx Series of digitally beam steering loudspeakers are on display at the Renkus-Heinz booth, including an IC Live dual system and an IC16R, equipped with RHAON networking technology. A new system combination is also on display, featuring a pair of IC7 mechanically beam steered cabinets mounted on Sygma SG Series subwoofers – well suited to both the sonic and budgetary needs of presentation providers, lectures, small bands and clubs. Davide Girlando of Software Design Ahnert is also presenting the SysTune live sound system tuning software at the booth at 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., and EASE seminars at 1:00 p.. and 4:30 p.m. daily.
QSC Audio introduced the K Series line of Active Loudspeakers last year, and this year the company says it will raise the the bar with the new KW Series. For details, CLICK HERE .
VMB is featuring the new ARK series of processors, replacing the Arkeops and DAC range. The ARK-70 and ARK-20 are the latest in the series of digital processors designed, assembled and manufactured by VMB offering 7 different models with 2 or 4 inputs each and with up to 8 outputs (analog or digital and Ethersound optional). VMB's qb Series is the company's latest range of passive cabinets including nine full-range and six sub-bass cabinets.
For more information, please visit http://pls.messefrankfurt.com
