LONDON — In its 21st year, PLASA 2012 marks the final staging of the annual exhibition at Earls Court & Olympia before the show moves to ExCeL London (and the month of October) for 2013. Along with panel sessions on the industry’s involvement in this year’s Diamond Jubilee and London 2012 Olympics, there were plenty of new professional audio products on display.
Allen & Heath (1-F2) featured its GLD live digital mixing system, its XB-10 ultra-compact broadcast mixer, its ICE-16 and its ZED60-10FX, ZED60-14FX, Xone:DB2 digital mixer and Xone:K2 MIDI controller.
Avid debuted three new VENUE HD System Bundles pairing a VENUE live sound system with the new Pro Tools|HD Native Thunderbolt interface: the D-Show HD Native 64 Bundle, Profile HD Native 64 Bundle and Mix Rack HD Native 64 Bundle. All come with a Pro Tools|HD Native Thunderbolt interface and promise to serve as cost-effective ways to mix and record live performances, play back pre-recorded tracks and speed up sound checks with Virtual Soundcheck.
Cadac moved decisively into the live sound sales and rental channels with the launch of CUK Live, a dedicated live sector distribution division of CUK Audio. The division is built around the Glasgow based company’s three core live sound brands: Cadac, Powersoft and Clair Bros.
Clear-Com (1-F29) featured its CC-300 and CC-400 professional headsets. Both are compatible with Clear-Com’s wide range of wired and wireless intercoms.
Harman (1-E21) marked 65 years for AKG with limited edition C451 mics, K702 headphones, revamped D12 VR bass mics, FloorPad and Helical antennas and the WMS4500 wireless system. BSS Audio updates include AVB friendly Soundweb London BLU-805 and BLU-325 devices and Dante-compatible BLU-806 and BLU-326 devices. The Crown Audio PIP-BLU programmable input processor card for CTs Series amplifiers was also on show, along with the VRACK 4x3500HD multichannel amplification system. Harman also featured a software update for its dbx DriveRack PA+ loudspeaker management system, PMC personal monitor controller and TR1616 BLU Link I/O. Other Harman tweaks included its updated HiQnet Audio Architect configuration and control software for installed sound applications and HiQnet Motion Control iOS App. JBL speaker innovations included the new AWC82 and AWC129 compact all-weather loudspeakers; CBT 200LA-1 constant directivity column loudspeaker; EN 54 part 24 certification for the Control 25AV-LS loudspeaker; STX800 Series portable loudspeakers; and the VTX-LZ-K laser accessory kit for precision alignment of VTX Series line arrays. PLASA also served as a launch pad for Studer console innovations including the new Studer Compact Remote Bay (a portable controller); Si Performer consoles with integrated Audio and DMX; and the lower-priced Vista 1 compact console.
Mackie introduced its DLM Series powered loudspeakers. The compact, powerful (2000W) DLM system includes two full-range models (DLM8, DLM12) along with a high-output compact subwoofer (DLM12S).
Midas (1-F19) displayed the PRO1 and VeniceU consoles along with free one-hour training sessions covering its PRO Series of consoles. Although both the PRO1 and VeniceU have been seen elsewhere (InfoComm 2012 and Palme Beijing, respectively), they made their European debut at the show. Midas also presented Britannia Row with Midas’ “Pushing the Boundaries” award for its work on the Queen of England’s Jubilee Concert in June.
Out Board (1-H9) launched the TiMax2 SoundHub PanSpace graphical sound-effects pan programming map, which works in conjunction with the TimeLine editor. Other launches included new iPad and iPhone apps for the TiMax2 SoundHub system matrix, playback server and audio showcontroller and, with Data Strategy, the CAB-5 Cable Tester and RCD-T modules, which work with the PAT-4 Test Processors to provide automated cable test capabilities along with RCD testing with detailed logging and reporting.
Penn Elcom (1-B15) featured its CLD, Pro Audio Stash and Rackz branded products in one booth, with a special focus this year on the company’s CaseDesigner software innovations, Rackz wall mounting rack enclosures and the Pro Audio Stash R8010 19” Slide-and-Rotate racking system.
POLARaudio (1-F9) staged demos for the Iconyx IC16-R-II from Renkus-Heinz. Also on show: the built-to-order Ralph Heinz Signature Series and modular Varia Series.
Sennheiser (1-F6) showcased its 9000 Series at this year’s stand, and also featured demos for a wide range of Sennheiser and Neumann microphones along with new products from its distributed brands, including APart Audio, DAS Audio, K-array and RANE, in the exhibition’s demo room facilities.
Sommer Cable presented the NL4FX-SOM cable socket, a special version designed in close cooperation with Neutrik.
PLASA 2013 is set for ExCeL London from Oct. 6-9.
Update Sept. 19, 2012: PLASA Announces New Product Innovations Award Winners
A panel of 14 judges weighed the merits of 47 products at PLASA 2012 before deciding upon eight New Product Innovations Award winners. One of the eight — CAST BlackTrax — was deemed the “Gold Award Winner.” The other seven included the Stageco Arena Lift, Digital & Future Technologies Super2fer, Tait Technologies Pixel Tablet, Avolites’s Sapphire media server, the Robe Robin DLF Wash, JBL’s VTX V25 Line Array and Martin’s MAC Viper Profile.
The ETC Source Four LED won the Green Award and honorable mentions were givin to the d3 Designer, Sennheiser’s Digital S9000 wireless system, Shure’s ULX-D digital wireless system and the Highlights Wentex pipe and drape system.
For more information, please visit www.plasashow.com.
