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PLASA 2010 Highlights

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As PLASA is a big show, there is no way FOH can cover everything in this limited space. Please note that products not covered here will be covered over the coming months.
Allen & Heath Shows Dante and RockNet Options

 

Allen & Heath's Dante networking audio interface card from Audinate for the iLive digital mixing series allows iLive systems to work with a Dante audio networking solution, providing capacity for 64×64 bidirectional audio with full network redundancy. iLive MixRacks and modular surfaces with the RAB2 module can be fitted with the new slot-in card. A Dante Virtual Soundcard license will be included with purchases of the card, turning a PC or Mac into a Dante-enabled device. The company also added the xDR-16 expander unit to the iLive digital mixing family, providing remote analog I/O expansion and networking options at FOH, on the other side of a large stage, in another room, or even in a different building during installations. And Riedel Communications also offered a new RockNet RN.345.IL network plug-in card for Allen & Heath's iLive system.

 

Avid Previews AVB technology Card, Launches VENUE Link; M-Audio GSR 10 and 12 Speakers

 

VENUE Link, which works with the Profile and Mix Rack models, was designed to make the process of recording live shows as straightforward as possible. At the push of a button, this system eliminates the need for engineers to spend all their time re-configuring the console when recording up to 128 channels. No longer do you need to spend time re-typing the channel details in when it comes to recording; nor do you have to make sure the input routing brings all the stuff in at the right points. "We've connected cables between the two systems and it does it all for you, so when you play it all back in Virtual Soundcheck mode, it turns up in the right place in the console again," said Avid's David Gibbons. "It also links the Snapshot system in the console to the monitors in Pro Tools, so as an engineer does a live mix, and hears the snapshot for the beginning of the 5th song, for example, it drops in a marker in the session with the same name at exactly that point in time." Avid also previewed its AVB technology card, which is not yet a shipping product – just as a demo of how the technology can work; and a demonstration took place on the stand using Ethernet cable and a Crown amplifier (lent to Avid by fellow- AVNU Alliance member, Harman). "We wanted to send out the message that we support AVB technology; and this seemed the best way to do that," added Gibbons. Avid also launched the M-Audio GSR 10 and 12 loudspeakers. Bi-amped class D amplifier technology was key in keeping the weight down; and the 10" and 12" models both feature four DSP-based presets, which allows them to be optimized for applications including voice intelligibility, live gigs, and for pre-recorded music.

 

Soundcraft Launches Si Compact

 

Another PLASA launch that previewed at Prolight+Sound was Soundcraft's Si Compact range. The 24-channel model was demonstrated at the show; and 16- and 32-channel models will follow. All three models have motorized faders, four stereo returns, four mute groups, and are equipped with four Lexicon FX processors and a BSS graphic EQ on every buss. The 16-channel model will also be rack-mountable. On the 24 and 32-channel models, there are also four assignable insert send/returns. The ultra-small console also features Harman HiQnet integration and is connectable to a stagebox as well as having all the I/O on the rear panel. "We wanted to take the best parts out of our existing consoles, so we've got mic amps out of the Vi; and the audio engine out of the bigger Si series," said Soundcraft's Richard Ayres. "The objective here though was to get into the console all that the entry level user wants in a digital desk and to avoid that perpetual layering that so often affects small consoles."

 

Nexo Launches 45 N-12 Floor Monitor

 

Nexo unveiled its first ever dedicated floor monitor: the 45 N-12. Nexo claims it's unique for the audio industry in terms of scalability, dispersion and power. Designed for touring, but equally at home in a broadcast or TV application, it's a solid block with rubber feet, which means it won't move when on stage; and features a male/female magnetic strip that locks them in place. As many as 12 can be linked together, and Nexo's new waveguide ensures there's no interference between the boxes. Individually, one monitor has a 22.5 degree horizontal dispersion and a nominal SPL of 137dB. If paired, they will act as one monitor from one source, with a double 12 and a double top-end driver. Vertically, there is 60 degrees of dispersion. The boxes weigh 26kg and feature different presets for different configurations. They also have handles at the front, rear and at the sides. "These boxes are totally unique – and extremely loud. They are designed to achieve a completely consistent frequency response; and the sound just drops when you move out of axis," said Stuart Kerrison, Nexo's international touring manager. "Now for a PA company, instead of buying singles and double 12s, they don't need to because they can just buy these and take them apart as necessary."

 

Yamaha Launches ASIO Streamer, iPad App, New Speaker Range

 

Yamaha launched its new iPad App: StageMix, which is aimed at monitor engineers using an M7CL or one-man operators doing FOH and monitors from the same console. It allows for wireless control of the console from the iPad and provides control of the input and output faders and sends on faders for the aux sends; and the EQs for the inputs and outputs. There is short throw and finecontrol long throw on the faders; and StageMix also makes use of the iPad's multi-touch functions to control things like EQ and multiple faders at the same time. It will be available as a free download from the iTunes App store in the next few weeks. Yamaha also launched its ASIO Streamer for the M7CLES, which communicates via EtherSound to its stage boxes via two sockets on the back. The third socket, which, using ASIO Streamer, can take up to 64 channels of I/O from the desk into a recording PC running Cubase or Innuendo. That will be available as a free download in the fall. Yamaha's new lightweight DSR loudspeaker series was also launched at PLASA 2010: a mid-range set of powered speakers: a single 12" asymmetric cab that can also be used as a monitor; a single 15," a dual 15" cab; and a single 18." The full range models are all 1300W, with Class D amplification, built in DSP and multiband dynamic processing.

 

Ohm Launches New HDMX Wedge

 

Ohm launched its new HDMX 12" 350W and 15" 500W lightweight neodymium coaxial monitors, featuring flying points at the back, which work for sidefills or a small stage. It has a passive crossover and a switch which will enable the user to bi-amp it, so it can be active as well. "The angle that we've made them at makes it ideal for a small stage or studio where you want to stand as close as you can to the monitor," said Ohm's Clive Kinton.

 

 

 

Klark Teknik Launches 9650 and 9652 Digital Format Converters

 

Klark Teknik launched its two new digital format convertors: the 9650 and 9652. The 9650 converts AES 50 to almost any other type of protocol. It features three AES50 ports on one side of the network bridge providing 72 I/O at 96K; and whatever type of CM1 module card is used depends on what comes out the other side. There is a choice of cards that converts to and from MADI, Dante, EtherSound, CobraNet and Aviom. The 9652 goes a step further; it replaces the AES50 side of the interface with a second CM1 card which enables conversion from any format to any other format; and is capable of synchronizing two separate clock domains, all running on its own and each generating its own clock. There are also 72 channels of bi-directional sample rate conversion.

 

Midas Launches VeniceF Consoles

 

Midas launched VeniceF – its new "digilog" range of small-footprint consoles. It comes in 16 (which can be rack-mounted), 24 and 32-channel models – the same frame-sizes as Midas' original Venice series – and has four stereo channels. The VeniceF was created as a hybrid product, aiming to deliver the audio quality of a traditional analog console but including a 32 x 32 FireWire digital interface enabling audio to be sent in a digital format between the console and an external computer. Each channel strip has a brand new mic pre-amp, polarity invert feature and phantom power on the console surface; and the analog and digital direct outs can be switched pre- or post-EQ. The original Venice EQ has been replaced by an XL3- style EQ with variable bandwidths on the mids and a swept hi/lo shelving filter; its six aux busses are now switchable pre or post; and it features individual routing to groups and pan to groups. "In a way it's just a perfectly good analog mixer, but there's a switch that switches between FireWire and analog," said Midas' Richard Ferriday. "So you can route direct outputs to FireWire and also route the mix busses to the FireWire interface. Once you've done the conversion, you can then run your favorite DAW software from your laptop." The VeniceF is bundled with a 60-day trial version of Record, which is Propellerhead Software's new recording package, which also features a 32-track hard disk recorder.

 

Axys by Duran Audio Launches New B-215-diff Bass Loudspeaker; Two New Flex Range Speakers

 

Duran Audio launched its multiple polar pattern B-215-diff bass loudspeaker from which 22dB front-to-back can be achieved. It's a powered speaker and can work in cardioid, hypercardioid, or dipole modes. It also uses Axys Beam Shaping Subwoofer technology. It contains two 560W amps with presets onboard, and it is networkable, using Axys DDA software to shape the low end. "The B-215 works great in clubs where there are environmental sound issues," said Duran Audio's Max Lindsay-Johnson, "and the Flex range speakers are very loud boxes for their size." The Flex-U12 and U-14 were also introduced at the show. The U-14 features two 6.5" drivers with a soft dome tweeter, which can be fully networked and features onboard DSP, capable of putting out 117dB, so the units are suitable for frontfill, balcony or a straight PA system. The smaller U-12 has a single 6.5" driver and soft dome tweeter and has a maximum output of 111dB.

 

Mackie Unveils 2404 and 3204 VLZ3 Live Sound Consoles

 

Mackie launched its new 2404 and 3204 VLZ3 consoles, which feature eight built-in analog compressors and 32-bit FX processors with tap tempo function. The desk has a four-out two-return USB interface and comes in 24 and 32-channel models, the latter of which has four extra mono channels. Although it's aimed at the live market, Mackie expects it to end up in many project studios in the future also.

 

Bose Exhibits at PLASA for First Time in 13 Years; Announces Pro Audio Push

 

Bose made its first PLASA appearance in 13 years and announced that 2011 will be a big year, with plans for new products and announcements on the install side of the pro audio industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Audio Launches MLA; Receives PLASA Gold Award

 

{mosimage}Martin Audio's groundbreaking MLA was on show for the first time at PLASA 2010, where it won the Gold Award. The powered system features six channels of amplification in each cabinet which address each of its six individual acoustic cells; it also has its own DSP channel, which allows the user to control via a computer how SPL levels. Its throwing capability is a massive 150 meters with absolute clarity. The MLD box is designed for downfall and can provide a clean stage apron; and the MLX sub combines IPAL technology with another proprietary Martin Audio technology called hybrid, which means as well as horn-loading a driver, you can also reflex-load them. The sub can produce 150dB at 1m, which is a measured figure – not a calculated one.