PLASA 2024. Highlights - LightSoundJournal.com

London has always been the home of the Plasa Show, a fair that for many years was a landmark in the global entertainment market and which, after a period of decline, is now trying to revive itself. Although it is not currently among the world’s most important fairs, it remains a must-attend event for the British market, which, it is worth remembering, has a certain weight in the global landscape.

Many prominent companies and players have always attended and, even today, the Plasa Show proves to be a useful opportunity for networking and discovering interesting new products. However, the now almost prohibitive prices in the British capital, although not attributable to the show, reduce the influx of visitors from abroad.

The first day, which curiously takes place on a Sunday, had a low turnout, while on Monday the London Olympia exhibition center, which has been under renovation for years, filled up as in the best editions. The third and final day, which we did not attend, seems not to have replicated Monday’s success.

As for the market, both British and European, we can conclude that the summer season was good, in some cases very good, but not at the exceptional levels of the previous year. Nonetheless, there is a mood of confidence and commitment on the part of companies toward upcoming trade fair events, with a focus on ISE in February 2025.

Below you can find a selection of new products presented at the fair, in a sneak preview…

AYRTON

Ayrton exhibited three of its newest innovations at PLASA: Rivale Wash, Nando 502 Wash and Kyalami.

London was also an opportunity to showcase the Veloce Profile model for the first time before its official launch, with which it promises to revolutionize the market with its advanced technology and innovative design.

All models in the ULTIMATE range are perfectly homogeneous, sharing common features and offering an unimaginable weight-performance ratio. Rivale Wash mounts an all-new, specially developed 170 mm Fresnel lens that offers a 4° beam angle, created for use with frame shutters while facilitating the use of geometric gobos or ovalization lenses. The new Fresnel lens also significantly improves color mixing and provides 10 percent more light than a conventional Fresnel lens. Rivale Wash’s proprietary 12-lens optical system offers a zoom ratio of 14:1 and a range of 4° to 57°. The 430W high-efficiency sealed single-block LED module, calibrated to 6500K, offers a luminous flux of 28,000 lumens.

Info: www.ayrton.eu

BeamZ

BeamZ is exhibiting a vast number of entertainment fixtures at Plasa such as the Nuke1 strobe/beam, a dynamic projector designed for versatility and impact, featuring 180° motorized tilt, 96 10W Cool White LEDs and 14 40W RGBW High Power LEDs for a brilliant color palette and intense white light. Pixelable zones, DMX control and automated programs make it easy to create extraordinary lighting effects. The IP65 waterproof rating ensures reliable outdoor performance, making Nuke1 the ideal choice for both indoor and outdoor events.

BAC552Z Aluminium PRO PAR is an RGBW LED static light with zoom function. A professional-level projector perfect for any occasion, from concerts to weddings. With its sleek aluminum design and vibrant color options, the BAC552Z brings style and functionality to light rigs.

Info: www.beamzlighting.com

CAMEO LIGHTING

In London, Cameo is exhibiting its flagship product OPUS X4, the innovative ORON H2 and OTOS W12 phosphor moving head.

The OPUS® X4 PROFILE is Cameo’s new flagship model, equipped with a 1,400-watt white light LED motor that generates a very strong light output of 50,000 lm, thanks in part to its unique 193 mm front lens and very wide zoom range of 5° to 55°. The OPUS® X4 PROFILE is very versatile and can be used as either a Spot or Profile moving head.

The ORON® H2 is an IP65 hybrid moving head with a 260W phosphor laser motor, exceptionally wide zoom range for a laser moving head from 0.6° to 32°, 19 fixed gobos, 12 rotating gobos and two combinable effect wheels with six prisms, beam ovalizers and frost filters to create original light beams. The CMY color mixing system also allows use of the full CMY spectrum, including white, while CTO linear correction offers maximum precision for use on stages, in TV broadcasts, and more.

As the largest IP65 wash moving head in its series, the OTOS® W12 captivates with its multi-zoom function that allows three different levels to be individually controlled and the zoom range to be adjusted on multiple levels. All models share the controllable FX LED effect ring, which can shine in either white hue or a wide range of colors. The 32 50W RGBL LEDs can be individually controlled via Single Pixel Control, as well as for the LED ring.

Info: www.cameolight.com

CHAUVET PROFESSIONAL

CHAUVET Professional exhibits the complete Maverick series, new additions to the COLORado Solo Bar family, and the Ovation Rêve series.

Specifically, the new Maverick Silens 2X Profile features a 760W 94+ CRILED source in an uncompromising design that offers the highest light quality, flawless 16-bit red shift dimming, and selectable dimming curves. The framing system is extremely precise thanks to 4 blades, while the CMY mixing system ensures accurate color rendering. Completely fanless operation makes this projector totally silent, making it ideal for demanding theatrical and studio applications. Two gobo wheels (rotating and static), variable CMY and CTO, and a full range of effects complete the features.

Info: www.chauvetprofessional.com

CLAYPAKY

The Italian company chose PLASA for some important world premieres.

Tambora Rays: with pixel-to-pixel control, a total of 27 individual LEDs can be managed for enormous creative potential and extraordinary lighting effects.Tambora Rays, Tambora Flash and Tambora Stormy share the same design and structure so you can unleash creativity by combining the three elements to achieve amazing visual and graphic effects.

Tambora Stormy: an advanced, mappable strobe designed for powerful and versatile applications. It can be combined with Tambora Flash and Tambora Rays for new horizontal and vertical configurations. Its efficiency, compact size, and ease of mounting make the Tambora Stormy a must-have for a variety of setups.
 It is equipped with high-performance RGBW SMD LEDs. With 27 individually controllable segments, dynamic color effects and pixel mapping combinations are achieved.

Mini-B Sparky Aqua: mini projector, rated IP66, built to withstand the elements. Its high-power RGBW SMD LEDs, arranged in 10 individually controllable concentric circles, provide even light distribution over a wide 120° beam and extreme strobe effects.

Info: www.claypaky.it

DiGiCo

In London, DiGiCo is exhibiting the all-new Quantum326, a remarkable leap forward in power and connectivity. Based on the latest seventh-generation FPGAs, DiGiCo’s newest mixing console offers 128 input channels with 64 buses and a 24×24 matrix, all with full channel processing.

Twenty-six 100-mm touch-sensitive faders are arranged in two blocks of 12 fader banks, plus two dedicated user-assignable faders, each complete with high-resolution metering. The bank also features a pair of 17-inch, 1000-nit high-brightness multi-touch screens, plus 58 individual TFT displays for channels. Other features include 32-bit “Ultimate Stadius” ADC and DAC conversion, six individual MADI connections, two DMI slots, and more.

Info: www.DiGiCo.biz

DVT LIGHT

DVT LIGHT presents at PLASA with the PJ series consisting of the PJ-2.25 models with 15 25watt rgbw LEDs and the PJ-5 with 30 25watt rgbw LEDs.Both are an ideal choice for environments/projects of any size. They are a small and handy wash light, producing 11,835 lumens and 21,795 lumens with IP66 rating.

The special active diffuser allows the angle of the beam to be changed without changing the physical filter, while the specially developed NoFlick function eliminates any flicker, so you don’t have to waste time on lighthouse setup and camera settings

Info: www.dvtlight.com

ETC

ETC presents in London a range of options available for LED upgrades to existing systems.

New additions include the new Eos Apex with expansion processing, the ColorSource V and ColorSource jr family of projectors, Road Hog 4-21, High End Systems moving heads, including Ministar, Halcyon.

Source Four LED Series 3‘s advanced X8 matrix represents an innovation that has redefined the standards of stage lighting with its excellent color management. In addition, the fos/4 and Desire Fresnel fixtures offer quality solutions that meet the most demanding needs in the industry.

Info: www.etcconnect.com

FANTEK

FANTEK has unveiled two new lifting towers that incorporate the innovative LoadSense weight sensor, the fully mechanical system requiring no electronic components that promises to immediately detect overloads. These are the new FT5023LS front-loading and TK6422LS top-loading towers.

With a maximum height of 4.98 meters, the FT5023LS can lift up to 455 kg in structural mode. The LoadSense system not only enables this tower to comply with EN-17206 but, thanks to the Dynamic Overlap system, ensures that forces are properly distributed, increasing strength and reducing deflection.

FANTEK TK6422LS is a telescopic lifting tower designed to lift vertical loads of up to 225 kg to a maximum height of 6.4 meters. It consists of five extendable steel profiles raised by a high-strength steel cable. The entire system is controlled by a manually operated winch with a double crank.

Info: www.fantek.es

GLP

GLP was present at PLASA with a red carpet-style booth consisting of 26 JDC2 IP hybrid strobes.

In addition to the IP65 weatherproof rating, the JDC2 IP offers enhanced visibility, increased power and advanced creativity with the new integrated beam line equipped with 84 high-performance LEDs.The fixture also offers optimized flash effects for an even more realistic and intense strobe, with 12 individually controllable segments and extended intensity flash effects given by more than 100 static and dynamic strobe patterns.

Info: www.glp.de

LINK

The Italian company LINK is exhibiting in London the Multiformat cable: an innovation designed to simplify audio connectivity, a new line of cables that not only raises safety standards but completely redefines them, thanks to compliance with the CPR (Construction Products Regulation) regulations in force throughout the European Union, and the innovative LKS and LKS Data Extension Cables with Aluminum Core.

The latter are compatible with LKS (Socapex) and LKS Data (Socapex + CAT6A) connections, and offer benefits in terms of light weight, eco-sustainability, and cost-effectiveness over copper alternatives.

Other important news is the announcement of the new Link UK office to better assist and satisfy its customers.

Info: linkitaly.com

RCF

RCF exhibited products from its new brand dedicated to PRO TT+ Audio systems in London.

Featured was the innovative GTX 12 system, a 3-way line array module for large-scale, high-performance indoor and outdoor installation and touring applications. Equipped with eight best-in-class transducers, it offers excellent reproduction quality and optimized directivity. Up to 24 GTX 12 modules can be hung on a single fly-bar.

GTX 12 is the result of TT+ AUDIO’s ongoing commitment to providing powerful and reliable amplification systems for the most demanding audio providers. Whether for large concerts, festivals, or permanent installations, the GTX 12 system delivers the best possible audio experience, surpassing any product TT+ AUDIO has ever created.

Info: www.ttaudio.com

ROBE

The Czech company chose PLASA 2024 to launch four new products: iFORTE Fresnel, PAINTE Fresnel, SVOPATT, and SVB1.

Success for the new SVOPATT. featuring a fresh, contemporary housing with nine individual modules each containing 7 RGBW 40W multichips and the central pixel containing a 200W white LED strobe. Multiple modes and protocols include ArtNet and sACN for easy pixel mapping; a choice of RGB or CMY color mixing modes; a variable CCT gamut; a built-in DataSwatch™ color library with 66 preset colors; and tungsten lamp emulation.

Each individual module is equipped with a motorized zoom with noise attenuation, and the zoom range from 3.8° to 50° allows you to create narrow beams or wide wash effects from each individual module. Cpulse™ software eliminates flicker on the screen and green +/- content control makes it ideal for studio environments and broadcast scenarios.

Info: www.robe.cz

Guido Block was born in Germany, but now he lives in Milan, Italy. Music was his first love and it’s his life. When he is not writing articles, interviews, live event reports and product tests for the Light Sound Journal Network you can find him working in his recording studio or on stage, singing and playing bass with his rock band.