Another fine Messe

I remember that before I got into the magazine business, I'd go to any lengths to secure an invitation to music trade shows, but I think that even my youthful exuberance might have been damped by the sheer scale of Frankfurt's Music Messe. It's not the size of the individual halls that's a problem, but the fact that they are strung out along a mile or so of air terminal style corridors. It's like a cross between Deep Space Nine (or should that be Deep Space Nein?) and the labyrinths of Knossos as portrayed by Heironimous Boch!

The theme of this year's show seems to be to identify a successful niche market — then see everyone else go for it! While the manufacturers serving touring PA companies have always had a tendency to converge on similar designs (probably due to the inflexibility of the laws of physics), designs for the gigging band have undergone many changes as different concepts become fashionable. Back in the '60s and early '70s, column speakers were popular, and then there seemed to be a trend to build a baby version of a concert system and haul that around from pub to pub. Sanity was restored by companies such as Bose, who addressed the need to make PA equipment transportable, but then people started wanting to put drums through the system, even at small gigs, so sub-bass cabinets started to appear. Now we have the all-in-one moulded full-range cabinet, sometimes active, sometimes passive, and sometimes with an optional sub-bass cabinet.

The plastic PA is obviously a success story, because virtually every major PA manufacturer is producing one — Bose were the first major player to make a commercial success out of moulded PA enclosures, with JBL's EON the first of the new generation moulded systems. RCF's ART system, launched at the show, is based on a two-way 12-inch plus horn enclosure with both active, passive, and sub-bass versions available. Celestion's equivalent is the updated CR range, complete with optional sub-bass cabinet, and DAS showed us their moulded DS system based on a choice of 12 or 15-inch drivers. While JBL didn't have anything to supersede the EON, they did launch the HLA touring PA speaker in Europe, an ingenious system based on an aluminium space frame in which is mounted movable horn-loaded drivers, utilizing their newly developed 'differential-drive' loudspeaker units, which weigh just a fraction of their conventional equivalents. Fender's innovative new ultra-compact Passport PA system (reviewed on p66) was also on show.

Another area of product convergence is the cost-effective UHF radio mic system — prices aren't far above what you would have paid for a decent VHF system a couple of years back. Other trends include more companies building feedback suppression systems, a preponderance of small, general purpose mixers, and of course, the continuing increase in popularity of the powered mixer. That leads me nicely on to mentioning Laney, where their excellent range of amplifiers has been joined by a number of new PA components, including some very stylish powered mixers. In fact, there were several tasty new guitar amps at the show too, not least being the new Marshall JMP2000, which claims to be able to deliver American as well as UK sounds. Of course. Fender's new Roc Pro hybrid amps just happen to be designed to re-create classic UK rock sounds, and as if this weren't enough. Fender found time to develop a dual purpose powered PA/monitor and to re-launch the Guild range of guitars, including the much respected Guild Starfire.

Since Roland's VG-8 guitar system and the Line 6 AxSys amplifier, guitar amps with digital components have started to become respectable, which is perhaps why both ART and DOD launched their own hi-tech combos. Check out the rest of the show news for more details.

Spirit launch Pads

There were some new prototype mixers on display from the ever expanding Spirit range. Both the Folio Powerpad and the Folio Portapad are derived from the original Notepad work surface. The Powerpad is armed with a built-in power stage delivering 2 x 30 Watts into 4 Ohms; the Portapad is Spirit's battery driven version of the Notepad. We're told the batteries will last for up to four hours, with an indicator given to monitor their state (apparently you squeeze both sides of the mixer and a little green line of plasma snails across the surface to indicate its status). These new arrivals won't be available till next month.

Spirit by Soundcraft. (Contact Details)

BSS Opal to bear fruit?

Not content with bringing along their newly released Omnidrive Compact and new AR-133 DI box (pictured) BSS introduced the Opal Series of outboard equipment. The first two Opal products are dynamics processors, the DPR-422 Dual Compressor/De-Esser and the DPR-522 Dual Noise Gate. The Opal Series combines striking aesthetics with a stripped down design ethic that aims to achieve a pro sound and facilities not financially out of the semi-pro market's reach. In truth, if these units are as good as they look to be, then office workers will be picking one up for their wives on the way home without knowing why. We'll be looking at the DPR-522 and 422 in minute detail soon.

BSS Audio. (Contact Details)

A&H - simply Wizard

Allen & Heath debuted the Wizard, an affordable 20:2 compact mixing console, with a quick change rotating connector system, allowing desk or rackmounting. The Wizard boasts 16 mic/line inputs, two stereo returns, four-band EQ, six auxes and direct outs, with live applications that include keyboard mixing, stereo PA, sub-mixing, and monitor mixing. The new DR128 rackmount digital mixer was also at Frankfurt, offering a host of sophisticated processes in a compact frame, aimed primarily at the install market.

Allen & Heath. (Contact Details)

Celestion past and future

Celestion announced the launch of its new CRn Series, a range of installation loudspeakers suited to a variety of venues and projects. Also on show for the first time, was Celestion's newly upgraded CR Series.

The CRn Series consists of four compatible full-range units and one sub-bass cabinet; it is easy to install and fitted with eight M10 flying points and feet to enable the birch-ply cabinets to be flown or floor mounted as required. The new Series looks good and is fitted with protection for the HF drivers.

Also at Frankfurt, Celestion were showing their new Silver Series loudspeakers for the first time. The new range are in keeping with the company's reputation for excellence and are the latest release in a long line of classic guitar speakers, promising to place true vintage Celestion performance within the reach of more players.

Celestion. (Contact Details)

RCF'S work of ART

RCF created a buzz with their new ART Series of portable loudspeakers. The ART Series employs moulded enclosures, and may be either active or passive, with the bass units having the same physical appearance as the two-way full-range boxes. RCF have worked long and hard to squeeze as full a sound as possible out of these loudspeakers and they look to be onto a winner. Given RCF's track record, they will no doubt be attractively priced.

RCF UK Electronics. (Contact Details)

Tannoy dot i's and cross T's

Since their launch, the T12 and i12 Dual Concentric loudspeakers have proved popular, with both models increasingly being specified for many installations and hire companies worldwide. The range has now been expanded.

The i15 is a replacement for the popular CPA15, featuring a new 15-inch dual concentric driver with double roll cambric suspension and halogen HF protection. The T40 is a sub-bass companion for the T12, i12, and i15 systems, using a 15-inch bass driver in a rugged transportable cabinet with handles and pole mounts.

Tannoy. (Contact Details)

Peavey - the list goes on

The Peavey 'booth' was nearing the size of the Vatican and packed to the gunnels with new gear. The DeltaFex Twin improves on the original DeltaFex with two independent stereo processors. The MaxSys line of enclosures presently combines a two-way full-range enclosure and a 15-inch sub. Three new HiSys enclosures were also on show, and three new bass guitar enclosures were introduced. New upgrades of the Combo 115 and Combo 210TX bass combos were also on display. The MAX 100 floor processor contains dual-channel preamp and fully programmable 24-bit stereo effect processor. The Mentor was displayed, featuring two of Peavey's patent pending FLS Feedback Locating Systems in an independent format. A load of new Transfex and TransTube gear was on offer. The Unity 300 is a new compact mixing console, the XR560 is a new powered mixer, while the XR 886 is the new powered 'console-type' mixer. A new keyboard amp, new mics, new amps, the whole enchalada.

Peavey UK. (Contact Details)

Fender mirror image

We'll tell you more about Fender's Passport portable PA later in the this issue (turn to p66), but Fender had plenty of other new gear as well. For starters, there's the Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster, a left-handed model strung right-handed and reversed, with the strap button on the lower horn, so that right-handed players appear as Jimi did if looking at themselves in the mirror (a dodgy moustache as well as an Afro-American heritage and the ability to play guitar may also help reinforce the illusion a little). Fender added to their Tex-Mex line with the Tex-Mex Strat Special and the Tex-Mex Tele Special. The '69 Stratocaster was unveiled, aiming to "faithfully recapture the tone, feel and look of the guitar of choice for many musicians during 1969, an historic year for the electric guitar". New additions were made to the affordable Squier line-up. Five limited edition models were released: the Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster, Noel Redding Jazz Bass, and three models centering around each of the Hellecasters: the Well Ray Jazz-a-caster, Jerry Donahue Stratocaster, and John Jorgenson Hellecaster. Four new Frontman amps were on display offering Fender tone at a nice price. Not to be forgotten, the Squier Sidekick amp, offering 'that' tone at an even nicer price.

Arbiter. (Contact Details)

Beyerdynamic — more mics

Beyerdynamic came armed with a brace of new mics. The MPC 67 acoustical boundary microphone is built with sound reinforcement systems in mind. The mic comes with three different frequency responses, and is available with a remote control.

The TG-X 10 is Beyerdynamic's latest product in their range of drum and percussion microphones. It's a small clip-on dynamic drum mic, with an apparently very impressive response to percussion sounds and good rejection of mechanical noise and feedback.

Also, on the wireless front, the U 500 UHF diversity wireless system, with PLL synthesised technology has been designed for operation by musicians on stage. There are 16 selectable frequencies, plenty of transmitter options, and it looks to contribute to making UHF technology more affordable.

Beyerdynamic. (Contact Details)

C Audio — their grate

C Audio launched their GB range of power amps. The bi-polar amplifiers, with 'cheesegrater' profiled fascia plates, pressed in 2.5mm of steel, will be aimed at the MI and small installation market, and they support the new C Audio AMPSAP protocol. This will turn the product into a true control amplifier, with comprehensive built-in speaker protection and limiting, featuring sense feedback; 24dB per Octave crossover function; two bands of parametric equalisation per pass; CD equalisation. In addition, GB products will have clip limiters as standard, which are switchable, and a two position high-pass filter to eliminate sub-sonic frequencies plus a twin speed fan. The launch range comprises the GB202, GB402, and GB602, respectively rated at 2 x 200, 2 x 400, and 2 x 600 Watts, with the capacity to drive into a two ohm load.

C Audio. (Contact Details)

New Millennium

Cleverly designed and competitively priced, LA Audio's Millennium Series was given its first European showing. Comprising the GCX2 Gated Compressor, EQX2 Dual Three-band Parametric Equaliser; MLX2 Dual Microphone/Line Preamplifier with DI input and MPX1 Microphone Processor, the new Millennium range will retail from £189 including VAT, and are shipping now.

SCV London. (Contact Details)

Studiomaster — join the Club

Studiomaster launched the new Club 2000 range of mixing consoles. There are three models: the 102 is an eight-channel unit with six mono and two stereo channels. The 142 has 10 mono and two stereo channels, and the 192 boasts 14 mono and two stereo channels. The new Rotary Club is a compact quality mixer, offering four mono channels with balanced mic and line inputs, gain, three-band EQ, two balanced aux sends, pan, PFL, peak and rotary faders. The Pro 2 range was also launched. The 163 is rackmountable, while the 203 offers 14 mono and two stereo channels. Last but not least, Studiomaster released a new 800 Watts a side amp, the 1600D.

Studiomaster. (Contact Details)

EV go wireless

ElectroVoice introduced the M52500 wireless microphone system. MS Series wireless systems feature true diversity receivers with two discrete 'front ends' for reliable diversity operation. Both handheld and body-pack transmitters are available and feature the same companding and audio circuitry found in the receiver.

The EV N/D868 kick drum mic is new but has already seen wide spread action. The N/D868 is a true large diaphragm mic which offers the advantage of extended low-frequency response.

Three new models have been added to EV's popular S-Series loudspeakers; likewise the T-Series has been expanded.

EV have also introduced the kW Series of lightweight amplifiers. The amps include dual-mono capability, and each channel has independent power supplies and protection circuitry, including separate fans.

EVI Pro Audio Group. (Contact Details)

Drawmer for less

The Drawmer MX30 Gated/Compressor/Limiter is a new low cost professional quality dynamics processor containing some of the proprietary design circuitry used in the more expensive models in the Drawmer range. The MX30 has many automated features enabling fast, effective dynamic control, while retaining intuitive front panel layout, sonic character, and high technical specification. The price should bring Drawmer to a wider audience.

Drawmer Ltd. (Contact Details)

Citronic in the zone

Citronic released a new series of installation zone mixers that replaces the popular MPX9-11 & SPX1-01, which have been servicing the zoned mixer market for nearly 10 years. The ZM100 is a simple four input, two zone mixer built to professional standards and carrying a price tag that makes it a very attractive proposition. This unit can also be extended to four or six zones with the addition of the ZM-Slave. The ZM200 is also attractively priced and supplied as standard with remote control capability. The control sections of the front panel unplug and can be mounted remotely, using standard dual gang lighting and power hardware.

Citronic Ltd. (Contact Details)

DDA more for FOH

DDA hinted at the forthcoming introduction of a new console in the CS mould. DDA's CS8 will be a mid-range expandable modular console, intended primarily for FOH applications. Designed with adaptability in mind, the CS8 aims to address the shortcomings non-modular mixers have become known for by configuring modules in blocks of eight, but making individual vertical PCBs removable with the rotary knobs still attached. The console will have long throw faders, switchable gain, phase reversal, four-band swept mid EQ, and three pre/post switches. You'll also find eight sub-groups, eight auxiliary sends, six matrix outputs for stereo mic/line inputs, and it will be equipped with DDA's proprietary Spatial Image System (SIS) as found on the CS3.

EVI Pro Audio Group. (Contact Details)

It got to be BG

Shure are keeping the pressure on in the low cost mic market, with some new additions and improvements to their range. Leading the charge is a new instrument mic, the BG6.1, which by nature of its swivel mount construction lends itself to drum and percussion applications. Selling in the shops for about £110, the BG6.1 is supplied complete with 15 foot XLR to XLR cable, as are the BG2.1 and BG3.1 vocal mics, which will be retailing at lower prices of £69 and £93 respectively.

The stalwart BG1.1 has been upgraded with a new neodynium high output capsule for no extra cost, while home studio favourites the BG4.1 and BG5.1 now ship with the luxury padded storage bag for around £180.

HW International. (Contact Details)

AT's stage condenser

Audio-Technica have introduced a professional vocal stage condenser to the well-respected ATM series of microphones, in the form of the ATM89R. A hand-held mic aimed directly at the live performing vocalist, its high SPL handling capabilities and rugged build quality characteristics look to offer a high level of reliability and clarity. It utilizes specially designed internal shock-mounting technology to 'eliminate virtually all handling or cable noise' from the performance. The ATM89R comes equipped with a hypercardioid polar pattern to enable a high level of gain before feedback; for other applications where feedback is less of a concern, a range of three alternative polar capsules are also available on request.

Audio-Technica. (Contact Details)

Digitech add more Vocals

Digitech have added to their Vocalist range with the Vocalist Performer, a MIDI-free unit that's been designed with on-the-fly, on-stage operation very much in mind. Some 50 user presets with six variations each are on offer, as well as three reverb presets, an auto doubling effect, and an optional mic stand mount for easier access.

Arbiter. (Contact Details)

Yamaha MX-ed up

The first product to roll off the production line at Yamaha's brand new Taiwanese factory, the MX12/4, is a versatile, nicely spec'ed four-bus mixer.

With 12 inputs — eight mono channels with balanced XLR and jack inputs and phantom power and two stereo channels — four independent group busses, professional level monitoring, and effects sends, on-board digital reverb, three-band channel EQ, and a seven-band graphic plus a brand new ultra low noise, high performance head amplifier design, the MX12/4 is generously equipped to perform any number of live performance, reinforcement, sub-mixing, location recording or project studio applications.

There are lots of other features, and on the face of it, the MX12/4 looks to be well worth the £399 retail price. We're soon to have one on the test bench so stay tuned for a full dissection.

Yamaha-Kemble Music (UK). (Contact Details)