SHOW REVIEW
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Building for the Future
PLASA Events hailed its first show at ExCeL a success but what was on offer for the audio professional?
AROUND 11,000 people made the trip to east London last month for the first PLASA show at its new venue – unaudited figures suggest over 20 percent were from outside the UK while more than 3,000 spread their visit across more than one day. Although the aisles were busy, much of the
activity for the audio professional was away from the showfloor. In the AudioLab Arena nearly 5,000 visitors were treated to demonstrations and shoot- outs of the latest technology from a dozen manufacturers, including the first public showcase of Pioneer’s new club speakers. Unfortunately, the GS-WAVE dancefloor stack suffered due to the large volume of people present at the demo, which had a muffling effect on the sound from the single stack. The system’s power and clarity of sound was however clear during on-stand demos. The AudioLab Interactive sessions attracted more than 600 visitors who watched pro-audio technologies being pushed to their limits, while the AudioLab Theatre welcomed over 1,000 visitors to sessions on a wide variety of sound issues, from the cross-over of live sound and broadcast audio to tips on how to sound check. Other audio brands opted for different ways to
get involved, with d&b audiotechnik sponsoring the bar, Peavey supplying equipment to the AudioLab Interactive sessions, and Vue Audiotechnik hosting its own equipment demo a few miles away in Bermondsey. Still more attended the show as visitors but did not exhibit.
14 November 2013
On the showfloor, Avid’s S3L made its UK debut at ExCeL. The modular system comprises a high- performance HDX-powered processing engine running AAX plug-ins, scalable remote I/O that can live on stage or in a rack, and a compact control surface that’s equally effective on the road and in the studio. DPA used PLASA to highlight its range of live sound microphones, in conjunction with UK distributor Sound Network. The d:facto, d:dicate, and d:vote ranges were on show, while visitors also had the chance to see DPA’s new MMC4018 modular supercardioid condenser capsule. The MMC4018 is said to offer a highly directional pattern and controlled off-axis response. Unlike the DPA d:dicate 4017 shotgun, which includes an interference tube and is therefore more directional, this new variant offers more consistent rear rejection (almost no back lobe), making it suited to spot micing in orchestras. PLASA was the first opportunity for distributor
Polar Audio to exhibit a range of mixers and loudspeakers from Mackie. The manufacturer has recently updated and expanded three of its product ranges. The SRM 1,600W high-definition powered loudspeakers feature enhanced Mackie digital processing and provide high levels of SRM ruggedness, output, clarity, and simplicity. The SRM550 and SRM650 are available in 12in and 15in LF driver configurations with 1.4in HF compression drivers, while the SRM1850 offers an
18in subwoofer with integrated digital crossover. Mackie has also redesigned its MRmk3 series
powered studio monitors with music-centric voicing, designed to reveal the full range and natural character of music. Optimising features include an enhanced waveguide system for a wider sweet spot and custom-tuned rear porting for smooth, extended bass response. In addition, the series has been expanded to include the MR6mk3 6.5in powered studio monitor and the MR10Smk3 10in powered studio subwoofer. Finally, the new VLZ4 analogue mixers now
include Mackie’s Onyx preamps, providing high headroom and low noise. A new ergonomic, high contrast design rounds off the refinement. Cornered Audio was also welcomed to the Polar
Audio family, while AD Systems made its first appearance at the show with its PA solutions. A number of new products were showcased on the stand of Shure Distribution UK. The company also launched an education and training initiative aimed at all levels of the audio industry – regular events will take place at Shure’s UK HQ and across the country. QSC’s new CXD and PLD amplifiers, Shure’s new SE846 quad driver earphones, and new interfaces from Radial Engineering were the main highlights on the stand, while installation products such as QSC AcousticDesign speakers and Shure Microflex wireless microphones were demonstrated in SDUK’s off-stand Audio Solutions Suite.
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