Jan/Feb 2010 Issue

A further expansion of their fixed installation power amplifiers, Crown Audio launches the CDi 6000 amplifier, the fourth amplifier in the CDi series. The CDi 6000, like the other amplifiers in the series, has the ability to run low-impedance two-, four- and eight-ohm loads as well as 70- and 140-volt outputs. The amp also features 20 available presets that can be recalled at the touch of a button. All CDi amplifiers can be controlled and configured through Harman HiQnet System Architect. (574) 294-8000 www.crownaudio.com

L-Acoustics announces its new 8XTi and 12XTi coaxial enclosures, primarily engineered for the fixed installation market. Sharing the electro-acoustic design of the established XT series, the 8XTi and 12XTi feature streamlined cabinetry and discrete rigging that can be color-matched to architect specifications. The XTi series point-source technology is suited to distributed applications in semi-reverberant spaces. Point-source systems are also adaptable to proximity applications such as stage monitoring, front-fills and under-balcony fills. The 8XTi and 12XTi are available as plug and play solutions with LA4 and LA8 amplified controllers. (805) 604-0577 www.l-acoustics.com

Mackie’s Onyx-i FireWire Recording Mixers are now fully compatible with all major digital audio workstations (DAWs), including Avid’s Pro Tools M-Powered 8, Logic, Sonar, Cubase, Ableton Live, Acid Pro, Digital Performer and more using Mackie’s new Universal Driver upgrade. The driver enables Onyx 820i, 1220i, 1620i and 1640i mixer compatibility with Pro Tools M-Powered 8 software and can be purchased for $49.99 at www.mackie.com. Compatibility with other DAWs is standard. Onyx-i mixers feature extensive FireWire integration, studio-quality mic pres and British-style EQ, combining premium analog mixing with a high-quality computer interface. (800) 258-6883 www.mackie.com

WavesLive MultiRack is the first-ever software processing platform created especially for the live sound environment according to the company. Using only a laptop, an I/O, and an iLok, front-of house (FOH) and monitor engineers can sculpt their live sound with the same Waves plug-ins used in many studios. Capable of replacing racks processors, WavesLive MultiRack lets live sound engineers run compressors, reverbs, equalizers, delays, limiters and more, all at a fraction of the cost of comparable hardware units. 1-865-909-9200 ext. 2 www.waves.com

Christie MicroTiles are modular digital display tiles that can be stacked and clustered like building blocks to create display walls of any shape or scale. They offer crisp visuals at nearly any distance, wide viewing angles, and only a 1 mm gap between the tiles. The new LED- and DLP-based system is designed for long, reliable commercial use in public areas, with no lamps or other consumable parts to replace. The LED light engine, a key component of MicroTiles, is rated at 65,000 hours to half brightness usage, or nearly 7.5 years of continuous operation.

The SE-3000 is the new flagship switcher in the Datavideo HD/SD video switcher lineup. It includes 8/16 HD-SDI inputs and one DVI-D input, coupled with HD component output, SD program output and preview output, one DVI-D multi-view output, HDSDI program output and preview output, and composite, component, HD component, and S-video outputs. The SE-3000 also features tally, GPI, RS-232, and RS-422 inputs and outputs, four channels of balanced audio inputs, and two Ethernet ports. Additionally, it offers advanced PIP control, a built in multi-viewer, and a user-friendly touch screen control panel.

Digital Juice PhotoKnockouts are a new collection of royalty-free, pre-masked, high resolution people photos designed for print, presentations, web, and video professionals. The gigantic collection comes on 10 DVDs and includes over 12,000 photos featuring more than 150 models and covering 100 different themes. The product is available for an introductory price of $249.95. PhotoKnockout images give designers and multimedia professionals the flexibility and options they require for demanding projects with tight deadlines and budgets.

Kramer Electronics’ new VP-420 ProScale Digital PC/HD is a high-performance digital scaler for computer graphics video, component video and HDTV video signals. It scales the input up or down to a selectable computer graphics video or HDTV output signal on a 15-pin HD connector. The VP-420 supports resolutions from 640x480 up to 1900x1200, component video signals of 480i, 480p, 575i and 576p resolution and HDTV signals of 720p, 1080i and 1080p resolution.

Sanyo’s new PLC-XM150/150L 6000-lumen projector features an Active Maintenance Filter (AMF) system, a new, highly reliable optical engine, and five lens options. An inorganic liquid crystal panel incorporated into the newly developed optical engine and combined with a superior cooling technology allows high brightness levels. The light efficiency is approximately 20% higher than Sanyo's conventional models enabling big-screen projection in large venues and well-lit areas. The Active Maintenance Filter (AMF) system lasts approximately 10,000 hours.

ADB Lighting Technologies’ Mikapack 15 dimmer is designed for the entry-level market. This six-channel compact portable, rack-mountable dimmer has an optional truss clamping kit for distributed dimming. It can control six channels of up to 3,000 watts continuously to all six channels on full load for ambient temperatures up to 95°F. Filtering has also been improved. A powerful user interface provides four individual control buttons, and a backlight LCD screen for easy programming. Other LED indicators monitor supply phases, status of control signal and processor, and the output of each individual channel. www.adblighting.com

The new Design Wash LED PRO from Elation Professional is a high-output moving LED head that combines smooth RGB+W color mixing, very fast speed and impressive brightness in a compact package that fits neatly into tight spaces - and tight budgets. The company says it is 50% more energy efficient, is about half the size and weight, and has a 100,000-hour lamp life, compared to a 3,000-hour life. Elation adds that, in most colors, the Design Wash LED PRO is actually brighter than a discharge lamp fixture. www.elationlighting.com

Strong Entertainment Lighting announces their new 2,000-watt Canto followspot from the Italian manufacturer LDR (Luci della Ribalta). The Canto 2000 FF delivers a superb flat field for medium-throw applications of 50 to over 100 feet. Its compact size, and cool operation will also make it an excellent fit for high school auditoria and houses of worship. Features the new 2000 MSR FastFit lamp from Philips with rear access lamp replacement. Like other followspots in that Canto line, the new unit features a compact package, very quiet fan, user-friendly controls and world-class performance. www.strong-lighting.com.

Wybron’s new Cygnus 200W LED Wash light is designed to provide incandescent-quality light while remaining simple, energy efficient and easy to maintain. Compact, lightweight and self-contained, Cygnus incorporates red, green, blue and white elements housed in a single LED package. Up to five times brighter than comparable LED fixtures Cygnus’ compact size, means more light in less space, and, ultimately, less money spent on better light. www.wybron.com

Sonnet Technologies’ Fusion R400P four-drive RAID SATA rack-mount storage system is an economical and easy-to-use solution for flexible, high-performance storage in studio, or video control room. Available in configurations up to six terra bytes, Fusion R400P features a fast eSATA interface, integrated port multiplier and low-noise fans that make it suitable for noise-sensitive environments. The Fusion R400P is suitable for audio editing and archiving. When used along with a high performance SATA controller card it can support multiple streams of ProRes HD video. www.sonnettech.com

AlterMedia, Inc. Studio Suite 9 tracks and manages contacts, scheduling, projects, invoicing, library and labels, media assets, equipment and media inventories, communications, maintenance and more. It is a comprehensive software package that integrates with Pro Tools, Final Cut, QuickBooks, Address Book, iCal, iPhone, etc., and is user-customizable, affordable and networkable across Mac and PC platforms. Studio Suite 9 is available in four versions: Solo, for students and single-user boutique studios, Pro, for small professional studios, Network, for multi-room/user facilities, and Internet, for mid-to-large facilities needing to access mission-critical data via the web. www.studiosuite.net