FRANKFURT, Germany – Given the economic hardships endured by businesses around the globe, organizers of Musikmesse and ProLight + Sound were bracing for a tough 2010 show. But the event attacted 2,340 exhibitors, 62 percent of them from outside Germany, and almost 110,000 visitors from 128 countries, which was only a modest decline from 2009's 2,388 exhibitors and 112,478 visitor counts.
Held from March 24-27, ProLight + Sound served as a focal point for product innovation in the live event industry. Here's a glimpse of some of the innovations on display.
ADB Lighting
ADB Lighting (B36, Hall 11.1) featured its ALC4 modular LED Cyclorama light, which uses four RGB+White LED light sources; the Warp Daylight followspot; and the full production version of ADB's flagship dimmer, EURODIM Twin Tech. The company also showed its new DimSwitch module, which is touted for its ability to reduce installation costs with fewer cables and outlets; and ADB Dimmer Manager software, which detects the rating and type of the installed modules and reports to the operator the status of each module and channel.
adblighting.com
American DJ
American DJ (Hall 11, Booth D51) revealed two new additions to its Revo Series of LED moonflowers targeted for use by DJs and clubs: the Revo 4, for matrixes, grids, squares and other geometric shapes, and the compact, wide-beam Revo Rave. They can be used in DMX, Sound Active or Master/Slave modes. The new Vizi Spot 5R is a DMX moving head with the output of a 575-watt unit, while being about half the size and using less than half the energy. The not-so-secret ingredient? Philips' new 8000°K Platinum 5R discharge lamp technology. American DJ also launched the Jellyfish, a new DMX-compatible LED effect with 84 RGBW lamps housed in a clear plastic case.
ArKaos
Arkaos (Hall 11.1 stand C30/C28) put the new MediaMaster 1.2 through its paces. ArKaos MediaMaster 1.2, for Mac or PC platforms, can play up to eight simultaneous layers of HD video without dropping frames when running on an octo-core server. It also gives users the ability to mix the audio track from movies and to control the global audio volume via DMX.
Barco/High End Systems
Barco/High End Systems expanded the capabilities of the DL.3 digital light, the Axon Media Server and the DML-1200 digital light, and unveiled two new products – the SDI-DMX Mixer Pro, a hybrid switcher that offers users the ability to switch, mix and matrix four video inputs to four video outputs – directly from any DMX lighting controller – and the intellaspot XT-1, which, like last year's Cyberlight 2.0, raises the price/performance bar with innovations in optics, lamp configurations, high lumen output, energy efficiency, zoom range, and overall feature set. The intellaspot XT-1 is slated for release at the end of Q2.
New version 2.0 software for the DL.3 digital light and Axon media server offers additional media streams, new features and additional creative effects, including new digital shutters, improved blending functionality, new diagnostic tools, an increase in the number of available graphic layers (from three to nine), and an overall enhancement that enables more effects to be used simultaneously. Version 2.0 software also improves legacy DL.2 fixtures with an additional media layer, new effects and new system diagnostics.
Each new DL.3 now ships with a QuaDrive optical engine that enhances color and brightness. Axon media servers also now ship with dual HD-SDI inputs as standard. For the DML-1200 digital light, a software upgrade allows for new configuration features that include settings for high altitude mode, lamp modes, default imagery, shutdown options and selectable aspect ratios – from 4:3, 16:9, or 5:4. The software also now enables the projector toolset while DMX is connected.
Also at the stand were two recent Barco High End Systems products: the FQ-100, a fog generator designed for use at nightclubs, theatres and on tour; and the Cyberlight 2.0, a "moving-mirror" luminaire that combines fast mirror movements with more than 30,000 lumens of output.
CAST Software introduced its BlackBox software, a new wysiwyg.bbx proprietary "CAD-type" software which receives and converts live positional data received from input various devices, such as RFID, stereoscopic/thermal camera, SONAR, RADAR, about moving objects. The software establishes the exact 7D positions of those objects, computes instructions in XYZ, plus yaw, pitch, roll and time terms, and shoots out moving positional information so moving lights, set pieces, spatial sound, media servers, robotic cameras, etc. are synchronized and tracking to the action of those moving objects, all at a minimum speed of 50 Hz. BlackBox partners include MA Lighting of Germany for lighting control; Niscon Inc. of Toronto Canada for motion control via its Raynok Motion Control System Software; Out Board Electronics', of London UK, TiMax Audio Imaging delay matrix system for sound automation; and Ubisense, providing rapid response realtime location detection, plus the most recent additions to the partners list, Coolux, Magna BSP Ltd. and SAND Network Systems.
Chauvet
Chauvet's COLORado 1 Tour, designed for touring professionals, features RGBW color mixing from 42 1-watt LEDs. Color temperature presets range from 3,200K to 10,000K. It responds to 3, 4, 5, 6 or 11 channels of DMX control. Five distinct dimming curves provide smooth dimming to closely match conventional sources. PowerCon connectors as well as direct DMX in and out provide faster and easier connections. The Colorado 2 Tour, also directed at touring professionals, has 48 2-watt and 3-watt RGBW LEDs with 15° or optional 30° lenses and the same improved dimming capability. PowerCon connectors as well as direct DMX in and out provide faster and easier connections. The Colorado Batten 72 Tour is a 39-inch long linear wash fixture equipped with 72 1-watt RGBWA LEDs that are divided into three blocks. It is designed with PowerCon connectors, direct 3-pin and 5-pin DMX in and out to provide faster and easier connections for theatrical, touring or permanent indoor installations. The Q-Spot 260-LED is a moving yoke fixture with a 60-watt white LED. It includes a color wheel with eight slots plus white and two gobo wheels, one with seven rotating slot-n-lock gobos plus open and the other with nine fixed gobos plus open. The easy-access hatch provides for tool-free gobo changes. It also includes remote focus and a rotating prism. The Line Dancer LED features rotating and crisscrossing lines of red, green and blue light that are individually controllable. This fixture is an updated LED version of the Line Dancer and produces a similar effect, including strobe. However, the Line Dancer LED runs much cooler and continuously (no duty cycles needed) and weighs much less than its predecessor. The fixture's 72 RGB LEDs produce beams of light that constantly rotate with 70 degrees of coverage.
chauvetlighting.com .
Clay Paky
Clay Paky welcomed its global network of partners and others to its stand and nearby demo area, reflecting the company's distribution network on five continents. Along with its Alpha 1500 line, including newly-added beam shaper, spot and wash options, which expands the line to five models designed to work well together, Clay Paky made a foray into new product categories as well – LED screens being a case in point.
The Alpha Profile 1500 garnered much of the attention, combining the power of a 1500W lamp with a patented framing system and featuring new electronics and software. It comes with a complete range of effects and a 1:9 zoom that makes it well-suited to both short and long throw applications.
The Alpha Spot HPE 1500, the most powerful spotlight in the Alpha line, was also featured, with that power amplified by a wide zoom. Its graphic system consists of three gobo wheels with 20 gobos in all, an "animated star gobo," an animation disc, a prism and effects.
The Alpha Wash 1500 uses a CMY system, two color wheels with select pure filters and a linear CTO. It was touted for its wide linear zoom, brightness and beam uniformity at different beam angles, allowing it to be used in short, medium and long throw professional and architectural lighting.
Clay Paky's Mirage represents the company's entry into the semi-transparent LED display market. It can display video content indoors or out, with thin horizontal spaced bars that allow for about a 50 percent transparency ratio. It can be used for small and large events, live shows, and in TV studios.
Clay Paky also introduced HandsOn, a new control system that allows users to program a medium-sized computerized lighting system using a PC. HandsOn transforms the laptop screen into an control interface for any DMX 512 fixture, including lights with conventional lamps or LEDs, dimmers, lasers, smoke machines, and other effects.
Coemar
Coemar's stand had a new look in the new hall dedicated to lighting. The company featured its "future-proof" Infinity M series, which made its official debut on the European market, along with the other five projectors in the range and the LED series.
Coemar's Infinity M series is a new range of multi-lamp moving head projectors designed to hold the 700 W mini fast-fit bulb, and also to adapt to possible bulbs in the future, as well as the current 575 W fast-fit bulbs now available.
Comparable in power to 1,200 Watt projectors, compact Infinity M units consume as little as half the energy. They can be controlled via ArtNet, have digital ballasts and remotely display via DMX 512. The Infinity M series includes ACL, Spot and Wash models. The Infinity M joins the Infinity XL series, which debuted in 2006, and the compact Infinity S series.
Cooper Controls
Cooper Controls products on display through the company's German distribution partners included:
- Zero 88 ORB, Leap Frog 48, Jester ML24 and Jester TLXtra
- LightFactory PC lighting control featuring Version 2 software and restyled programming / playback wings
- Chilli Installation Dimming System
The company also previewed the ZerOS iPhone Remote App and Version 5.4 of its ZerOS software, and featured its State Automation advanced phase control and sinewave high density dimming solutions.
Elation Professional
Elation Professional (Hall 11, Booth D51) displayed the Design Spot LED, E Spot LED and Platinum Spot 5R – the first two powered by LED light sources, and the third featuring Philips MSD Platinum 5R Lamp Technology. The Platinum Spot 5R is a DMX moving head with an output comparable to a 575-watt fixture, yet is half the size, uses less than half the energy and weighs half as much as a typical 250-watt fixture, according to the company. It uses MSD Platinum 5R technology, a lamp source from Philips, which rated at 2,000 hours, or about twice as long as a conventional 575-watt fixture's lamp. Other benefits include faster pan and tilt and color-gobo changes. Features include 8 dichroic colors; 22 gobos (8 rotating/indexing, 14 static); 3-facet rotating prism effect; variable frost; motorized iris; motorized focus; variable speed shutter/strobe; and 0-100% mechanical dimmer. The Design Spot LED is an LED-powered version of Elation's Design Spot 250 Pro DMX moving head. It weighs less than the original model while offering output equal to a 250-watt discharge lamp plus an extended 50,000-hour LED lamp life. Features match the original: variable frost filter, motorized iris and motorized focus. nine dichroic colors, 14 gobos (7 rotating/indexing, 7 static) and a 3-facet rotating/indexing prism are also included. The E Spot LED is a 14-channel DMX spot effect with a 50,000-hour rated LED light source. The E Spot LED has an output greater than a standard 150-watt discharge fixture, while consuming about half the energy. It weighs 25 lbs. and is 8 inches by 11.8 inches by 17.2 inches. Features include 8 dichroic colors, 7 rotating/indexing gobos, 3 rotating/indexing prisms (3-facet, 5-facet and 3D), motorized focus, variable speed shutter/strobe and 0-100% mechanical dimmer.
www.elationlighting.com.
Global Design Solutions (GDS)
GDS joined its German distributor and featured LiteWare HO (High Output), an 80-watt version of its LiteWare wireless RGB uplighter introduced last year. It is compatible with the existing LiteWare range, shares the same footprint, and is calibrated to deliver color-matched output. It has an operational run time of 12 hours. GDS also featured the TCP-IP CueSystem, a networked cue light system. Other products exhibited at ProLight + Sound and also USITT in the U.S. included BluesSystem and MainsSystem working lights, MotorControl – a four-way modular motor control system, The Stage Managers Console and MOBAL – a multi-functional Socapex fault diagnosis and correction tool.
www.gds.uk.com .
GLP and G-LEC
GLP and G-LEC exhibited together for the first time. The large stand (260m²) was fully lit with LED gear, including 120m² of G-LEC Phantom 30 LED video display and over 100 different impression units in various LED assemblies (warm and cold white / RGB / 5-colour XL / XL RGBWWC). There were four key new product developments featured from GLP – the Volkslicht Zoom (at the lower end of the LED range), the impression 300 RZ (at the upper end), the Creation II-2048 controller and the impression Meisterstück.
The Equipped with 296 Luxeon Rebel LEDs, the impression 300 XL RZ is essentially the impression XL with zoom optics (identical to those on the 120 RZ). This allows a continuously variable zoom range of 10° to 26° distribution angle. The Zoom XL is now available in an RGB version while changes had been made inside the unit, since the impression 300 is equipped with 3-phase stepper motors for fast and quiet movement.
At the other end of the scale, the Volkslicht Zoom is equipped with 60 Rebel LEDs and a zoom range from 10° to 26°. Equipped with 21 green, 21 blue and 18 red LEDs it has a power consumption of only 180 watts. The primary colors are identical to those of the impression 90 and the impression XL, which allows the units to interact without generating color inconsistency.
The revised impression Meisterstück keeps the single Fresnel lens on the front, but refines the optical concept of the device for greater efficiency, and the zoom range features a minimum of 8° and maximum 32° distribution angle. The fixture uses four RGBW LED chipsets with a total power consumption of 600 watts, capable of generating primary and pastel colors in a white light range from 3200°K to 8000K. A maintenance-free liquid cooling system and 3-phase stepper motor technology allows for almost noiseless operation at full power.
Also featured was the Creation II-2048 – the first lighting controller in GLP's new Creation II Series. It offers a full feature set, hardware platform (Cherry and Digitast buttons) and simple interface.
www.glp.de
Lobo Bliss
Lobo electronic GmbH's Bliss is a new product line of compact multi-color diode-based laser modules. They are available as stand-alone units or as complete systems inside a projector. In Frankfurt, Lobo will show Bliss lasers with an output power of more than 2W. Bliss lasers provide DDL-2 support, including functions such as remote monitoring and remote configuration. Sparks Dual-Head laser features two integrated projection heads allowing complex laser projection and scanline laser video projections without flickering. New Sparks modules will be offered with more power classes and colors, such as orange, cyan and azure. AMP-6 is a digitally controlled scanning system with DDL-2-support including remote monitoring and remote configuration. LACON-5 software version 2.6 includes new DEMUX interfaces for the control of distributed multimedia applications.
www.lobo.de .
Martin Professional
Martin (Hall 9.0 stand B91) was highlighting new LED moving heads, a new indoor/outdoor LED screen, a high-output profile moving head with continuous rotation framing, a new beam fixture in the MAC family, new LED lights for indoor and outdoor use, and its new Exterior range of outdoor luminaires.
Several new user-friendly control and media server solutions were also on display including an all-in-one lighting console, plus a full complement of Jem and Magnum smoke machines were also on display.
Featured models include:
- MAC 350 Entour LED profile fixture
- MAC III Performance profile moving head with a new interleaved framing system and continuous rotation for projection, framing and effects possibilities.
- EC-20, part of the EC series of indoor and outdoor LED screens
- MAC 401 CT Zoom variable white light source wash luminaire with fast zoom
- MAC 2000 Beam XB and MAC 2000 Beam conversion kits
- M1 lighting controller
- Exterior 400 Range LED wash fixures
- Tripix 1200 and Tripix 300 IP66 rated outdoor LED luminaries
- Easypix modular LED striplight
- Maxedia 4 media server upgrades
- Ether2DMX8 enhanced DMX router
- Jem ZR44 Hi-Mass fog machine upgrades
Movecat
Movecat featured its range of kinetic solutions, from chain hoists for the stage to chain-hoist controllers, including the I-Motion Basic Show Controller (BGV D8 to C1 as well as SIL 1 to SIL 3), dubbed the "the little brother " of the SIL 3 certified EXPERT-T controller, with a 12" 4C touchscreen combined with a direct input keyboard. Designed for up to 60 drives, it is recommended for medium-sized and mobile project applications. Because its software is compatible with the Expert-T controller, it can also be used as a backup system. Movecat also featured its NBB Network Booster Box, which extends the application radius of an I-Motion network by a further 50 meters per unit, and the VMK-S 500/250 BGV C1 / SIL3 chain hoist with dynamic speed and load control. It offers speeds of up to 12 meters per minute with a safe working load (SWL) of 500kg, but also up to 15 meters per minute with an SWL of 250kg. It can also be operated at a fixed speed of 10 m/min by a standard MPC 4IC1-I controller. The VMK-S 500/250 BGV C1 / SIL3 chain hoist also features quieter Silent Brakes with their contact-free brake gap monitoring, a fully digital integrated load measurement system, a new status board with its comprehensive function display and all DIN 56950 test functions. Movecat's MPClite series, meanwhile, is a simple motor controller for controlling from two to eight direct-control chain hoists that, without compromising on safety, is designed for a new standard in terms of value for the money.
www.thinkabele.de .
Multiform
Multiform Lighting's AmbiStrip is a medium-sized RGB LED strip light designed to provide color mixing outline/edge illumination. Designed to be driven by a 24V constant voltage power supply like the AmbiLED APS series for control of color and brightness, they use 140 LEDs consuming 8.3W/m. Available in lengths of 1000, 500 and 250mm, the LED strips are housed in a 30mm diameter PC tube with molded end caps allowing tubes to be installed end to end. The AmbiStrips can also be linked using four-core cable and are supplied with clip-on wall holders. The AmbiLED range of LED ambient lighting fixtures uses the AmbiPower range of intelligent power supplies. The entry-level model APS060W combines a power supply with DMX-control for centrally controlled distributed RGB LED lighting systems. It has a wall-mount form factor and terminal block connections and a single AmbiPower 60W unit can drive up to 7m of AmbiStrip lighting. Using four-channel DMX control, the unit includes 19 preset colors and 17 chases for stand-alone operation and can also be used with most other 24V RGB LED lighting sources and displays.
www.multiform-lighting.com
Oxo by Ayrton
Oxo by Ayrton is a new line of stage luminaries to be introduced at Prolight & Sound 2010 (Hall 9.0 B82). The line includes LED and conventional fixtures, for indoor or outdoor use.
www.oxolight.com .
Philips Entertainment Lamps
Philips Entertainment Lamps introduced the Philips MSD Platinum 5 R lamp and the latest extension of the MiniFastFit range, the Philips MSR Gold 575/2 MiniFastFit.
The Philips MSD Platinum 5 R lamp appears in fixtures from Elation and American DJ designed for DJ and club applications, promising compact dimensions, light weight, bright output, long life, and the ability to use the smaller fixtures for more locations around the stage.
The range of Philips FastFit lamps, launched in 2006, has broadened to include more than 70 fixtures made by 20 OEM partners. Philips recently expanded the lower wattage group of the FastFit range with a smaller lamp base, the MiniFastFit.
The Philips MSR Gold 575/2 MiniFastFit, added to fixtures sold by Coemar and Robe to the Touring/stage industry, has an arc size of just 3.5 mm, which allows the fixtures to attain a new level of beam efficacy for that level of lamp wattage.
Proel Group
Proel's newly-acquired Sagitter brand developments included the Arrow 700 moving head, the Mantis LED projector, the Arrow moving mirror, the classic Supertracer followspot and a professional line of smoke machines. This new line of gear will be available starting mid-2010. Proel also noted that it is integrating the traditional lamp range with the new Lockit Osram 300, 700, 1500 in the Wash, Beam and Spot moving heads. The Spot Beam series, meanwhile, are completely different from the conventional moving heads, which feature new focusing and zooming technologies. The Arrow Mirror, in combination with the new 575 Beam color changer, creates a web of light beams and other new visual effects, and the Mantis LED projector features new RGB LED technologies and features including a new light baffle and frost and effect filters, allowing for split or half-moon shapes or create half moon shapes and more. The Tracer and Supertracer followspots, meanwhile, allow for followspot projection via built-in control board and engines, allowing operators to select colors, insert pictures and reduce the size through electronic controls.
Prolyte Products
Prolyte (Hall 11.1 B57) featured the company's large Space Roof system and product samples from the company's Truss, Stage DEX, Barriers, Theatre products and Prolyft product categories, plus the new line of rigging hardware and controls. The company also announced plans for limited-time discounts on its H series truss and box corners and the standard LED support systems and will showcase new developments including the D75T truss, Snake Gate Barrier and the Power Fly winch.
Robe
Robe reported interest from a wide array of visitors to the stand, from those with rental companies to TV studios, theatres to live events, with both creative and technical interests. There were many international visitors – including from the U.S., the Middle and Far East, China, South America, Australia and the Pan Pacific regions, plus those from all over Europe.
The Robin 600 Series garnered the most interest, followed by the Robin 600E Spot, Wash & Beam fixtures. Also new to the Robin range is the the competitively-priced "Classic" 300 and the high-powered ColorBeam 2500E AT.
Robe also reported strong interest in its demonstration seminars away from the stand, which attracted some 300 people a day. Each session lasted an hour and focused on a comprehensive overview of the new products, allowing a closer look and a chance for in-depth Q&A.
Many of Robe's key international distributors made the trip to Frankfurt, all adding to the international flavor and vibe on the stand, where they used the show as a meeting point to catch up with their clients and colleagues.
Robe launched 11 new products, including:
- ColorBeam 2500E AT
- ColorSpot 1200E AT Profile
- Robin 600E Spot
- Robin 600E Wash
- Robin 600E Beam
- Robin 300 Spot Classic
- Robin 300 Wash Classic
- Robin 300 Beam Classic
- LEDForce 18 RGB/RGBW
- LEDForce 18 eXterior RGB/RGBW
- LEDForce 7 RGB/RGBW
Also, the ColorBeam 2500E AT has been added to Robe's AT Series, and Light4ce is a new line of indoor and outdoor LED fixtures.
Robert Juliat
Robert Juliat (Hall 11.1 E49) a prototype of its AledIN LED profile, set for release in mid-2010. It's touted for its low power consumption (85W) and framing/projection. Up to 30 units can be run off one domestic power outlet, and the fixture will be available in two color temperatures (3200K or 5800K) and three zoom options. Also, any Robert Juliat 600 Series profile can be converted by changing the existing lamp base to the new LED lightsource base, making the AledIN a cost effective upgrade for rental houses and venues that already own RJ 600 Series fixtures. Robert Juliat also displayed the motorized versions of its 1800W HMI Victor, Flo and 4000W HTI Lancelot followspots. The Victor and Flo can be operated locally or by DMX via RJ Net. The RJ 714SX Silence – a fan-cooled, silent 2000W profile well-suited to large theatres and opera houses – was also be on display, as was the RJ 326 LFV Cin'k and the redesigned Horus cyclight.
SGM
SGM Lighting displayed its new LED gear, including Ribalta, Palco and Stilo Led branded products, featuring full-color blending. SGM also displayed the Idea Spot, Beam and Wash 300 moving heads, part of the 14 new products featured on the stand.
SGM general manager Alessandra Giorgi also credited SGM's takeover by RCF Group SpA last year for providing the company with a new level of financial stability that has created investment opportunities such as the SGM brand's presence at the show.
www.sgm.it
Vaddio
Vaddio (C28, Hall 9) debuted new robotic PTZ camera technology and camera control systems including the ClearVIEW HD-18 single CCD high definition PTZ camera, equipped with a 1/3-inch, 1.3 megapixel CCD imaging sensor, a glass multi-element wide dynamic zoom lens (18x optical), a tally light and a 1.8-lux rating. The ClearVIEW HD-18 delivers component HD in 1080p, 1080i or 720p and simultaneous SD video. It can be controlled via VISCA command protocol or the IR remote that is supplied. The HD-18 is compatible with any Polycom or TANDBERG videoconferencing codec. The new ClearVIEW HD-18 is available as WallVIEW SR (Short Range) and WallVIEW CCU systems. Vaddio's Precision Camera Controller – a joystick controller for smooth and pan, tilt and zoom control, will also be on display.
vaddio.com
Wireless Solution Sweden AB (Hall 11-1, Stand E45) unveiled G4 BlackBox for its W-DMX line, which is designed to repair corrupted data and vouch for maximum security by running on dual band and creating a backup duplicate of the signal. This new standard is transparent and works with several protocols.
For more information, please visit www.prolight-sound.com .
