Orbital Sound Ltd

Orbital Lines Up PLASA Firsts for 2010

Launches easiHire online hire service, and introduces new loudspeaker, microphone and digital wireless products

- Da-Cappo Micro Microphones
On show at PLASA for the first time, the highly affordable, resilient and performance-packed range includes the DA-12 single-ear microphone, the DA-04 lapel microphone (now available with three variable boom lengths), plus the ABTT Sound Product of the Year award-winning DA-15 single-ear microphone with an in-ear monitor piece. All feature Da-Cappo's tiny European-designed microphone capsule, which measures a discreet 2.5mm in diameter. Based on extensive research in precision-hearing instrumentation, the capsule combines market-leading engineering standards and audio performance with exceptional EMI protection, and unparalleled resilience against premature damage from the ingress of sweat and moisture, with the latter contributing to the capsules' potential lifespan in a hot, on-stage environment.

- Zaxcom Digital Wireless Microphone Systems
Zaxcom's recently-announced TRX900LT digital wireless audio transmitter combines totally digital transmission with recording and remote control functions – for live performance or broadcast. The TRX900LT's strong, impact-resistant nylon polymer casing protects the electronics from both corrosion and water damage. Capable of operation in the frequency range of the now all-important Channel 38, and its adjacent bands, the TRX900LT is fully compliant with all future frequency bands as guaranteed by OFCOM until 2021 - ensuring that technology investments made by a venue or production company will still be valid long after the demise of Channel 69. The new Zaxcom transmitter also removes the risk of mid-show battery failure, offering an impressive operational lifespan from a single AA lithium cell. Complementing the TRX900LT is Zaxcom's QRX100 4-channel diversity receiver, with its intermodulation-free performance enabling large numbers of channels to be operated in close proximity.

- HM Electronics Digital Wireless Intercoms
Orbital is showcasing a number of products from the comprehensive HM Electronics (HME) range, including the DX121 One-to-One Digital Wireless Intercom System - providing flexible wireless connectivity by plugging into a standard intercom station or belt-pack headset jack, or by connecting to a matrix intercom system via its four-wire interface. A single DX121 can support up to four HME remote Communicator® Beltpac or Headsets, while partial-band selection also enables up to eight DX121 wireless intercoms to be used simultaneously. It enables wireless intercom links to be established quickly and easily, extending an operator's range by up to 300 metres.

- CSC Ver. 3 Show Control Software
CSC Ver. 3 merges timeline-based graphical editing facilities with cue-list methodology and external triggering, making it one of the most sophisticated and intuitive packages currently available for the control of sound effects and cues. Sound designers can mix and layer complex WAV file sequences, shifting tracks in time with each other, while manipulating levels and output destinations using the live mixer and routing modules. Routing groups can be stored for future use, with looping and vamping easily applied via the wave display and enhanced engine. MIDI control is via standard MIDI messages, MIDI Show Control, Machine Control and System Exclusive data, and MIDI sequences can also be recorded to capture fader movements on digital mixing desks. Other facilities include event triggering via remote-control button boxes, MIDI commands and timecode, TCP/IP messages or based on the system time clock.

Orbital lines up a series of firsts for PLASA 2010, including the latest products from d&b audiotechnik – the keenly awaited E6 loudspeaker, and the new PLASA 2010 Innovation Award-winning B4-SUB – as well as the latest range of Da-Cappo Micro Microphones, and Zaxcom's recently-announced TRX900LT digital wireless audio transmitter, which offers operation on Channel 38 and adjacent bands. An innovative new concept in 24/7 hire services is also making its debut: Orbital is launching its easiHire online hire product selection, estimation and quotation tool at PLASA, designed to make researching and selecting hire equipment easier and more convenient. The full product line-up on Orbital's stand comprises loudspeakers from d&b audiotechnik, Da-Cappo Micro Microphones, CSC3 Show Control Software, HM Electronics Digital Wireless Intercoms and digital wireless microphone systems from Zaxcom.

Orbital's MD Chris Headlam comments:
"PLASA is traditionally a very important show for our business, marking the start of the new season and a great opportunity to showcase the latest product developments, reflecting the growing list of top quality brands that we distribute exclusively in the UK. We are also proud of our new easiHire online hire service – it is the result of a considerable amount of work and investment, ensuring that we can provide a truly easy to use and smart new tool. This will help customers identify and learn about the best equipment for their projects and get a ballpark costing there and then – whenever and wherever it suits them."

- easiHire online hire service
Orbital is celebrating the launch of its new easiHire service (www.orbitalsound.com/easihire) with an extensive number of introductory offers to celebrate easiHire's launch. The online tools advise and guide customers through the many product options – whether for a single microphone or the kit for a complete musical – giving an intelligent estimate as a guide, without any commitment. Once the customer has made a selection, they receive a rapid follow-up call from Orbital's expert hire desk team to finalise all the details and facilitate the hire.

- d&b audiotechnik Developments
On show from d&b audiotechnik is the E6 loudspeaker – the keenly awaited replacement for the E3. Designed as either a stand-along full range system for speech and music applications, or for incorporation into larger distributed sound reinforcement situations, the E6 is a high performance two-way multipurpose loudspeaker that employs an integrated coaxial driver with a neodymium magnet assembly.

The 1" exit HF compression driver and constant directivity horn are accommodated within the circumference of the 6.5" LF driver. The horn, with its 100° × 55° dispersion pattern (h × v), can easily be rotated through 90° without the use of tools to provide a 55° × 100° dispersion pattern. It can be mounted on loudspeaker stands or flown from overhead bars, while the multifaceted shape of the enclosure allows use either in a vertical or horizontal orientation, as well as deployment as a stage monitor. With the addition of an E12X-SUB or any other E-Series subwoofer, the E6 can also reproduce high-level music programmes.

Also new for PLASA is the d&b B4-SUB - an actively driven cardioid subwoofer, powered by a single amplifier channel, and solely designed for use in a ground-stacked setup. It houses two long-excursion neodymium drivers in an integrated cardioid setup: a 15" driver in a bass-reflex design facing to the front and a 12" driver in a two-chamber bandpass design radiating to the rear. The cardioid dispersion pattern resulting from this approach avoids unwanted energy behind the system, greatly reducing the reverberant field at low frequencies and providing the greatest accuracy of low frequency reproduction. It was announced yesterday evening that the d&b audiotechnik B4-SUB won a PLASA 2010 Innovations Award.

More news >

- Da-Cappo Micro Microphones
On show at PLASA for the first time, the highly affordable, resilient and performance-packed range includes the DA-12 single-ear microphone, the DA-04 lapel microphone (now available with three variable boom lengths), plus the ABTT Sound Product of the Year award-winning DA-15 single-ear microphone with an in-ear monitor piece. All feature Da-Cappo's tiny European-designed microphone capsule, which measures a discreet 2.5mm in diameter. Based on extensive research in precision-hearing instrumentation, the capsule combines market-leading engineering standards and audio performance with exceptional EMI protection, and unparalleled resilience against premature damage from the ingress of sweat and moisture, with the latter contributing to the capsules' potential lifespan in a hot, on-stage environment.

- Zaxcom Digital Wireless Microphone Systems
Zaxcom's recently-announced TRX900LT digital wireless audio transmitter combines totally digital transmission with recording and remote control functions – for live performance or broadcast. The TRX900LT's strong, impact-resistant nylon polymer casing protects the electronics from both corrosion and water damage. Capable of operation in the frequency range of the now all-important Channel 38, and its adjacent bands, the TRX900LT is fully compliant with all future frequency bands as guaranteed by OFCOM until 2021 - ensuring that technology investments made by a venue or production company will still be valid long after the demise of Channel 69. The new Zaxcom transmitter also removes the risk of mid-show battery failure, offering an impressive operational lifespan from a single AA lithium cell. Complementing the TRX900LT is Zaxcom's QRX100 4-channel diversity receiver, with its intermodulation-free performance enabling large numbers of channels to be operated in close proximity.

- HM Electronics Digital Wireless Intercoms
Orbital is showcasing a number of products from the comprehensive HM Electronics (HME) range, including the DX121 One-to-One Digital Wireless Intercom System - providing flexible wireless connectivity by plugging into a standard intercom station or belt-pack headset jack, or by connecting to a matrix intercom system via its four-wire interface. A single DX121 can support up to four HME remote Communicator® Beltpac or Headsets, while partial-band selection also enables up to eight DX121 wireless intercoms to be used simultaneously. It enables wireless intercom links to be established quickly and easily, extending an operator's range by up to 300 metres.

- CSC Ver. 3 Show Control Software
CSC Ver. 3 merges timeline-based graphical editing facilities with cue-list methodology and external triggering, making it one of the most sophisticated and intuitive packages currently available for the control of sound effects and cues. Sound designers can mix and layer complex WAV file sequences, shifting tracks in time with each other, while manipulating levels and output destinations using the live mixer and routing modules. Routing groups can be stored for future use, with looping and vamping easily applied via the wave display and enhanced engine. MIDI control is via standard MIDI messages, MIDI Show Control, Machine Control and System Exclusive data, and MIDI sequences can also be recorded to capture fader movements on digital mixing desks. Other facilities include event triggering via remote-control button boxes, MIDI commands and timecode, TCP/IP messages or based on the system time clock.