An array of some of the live entertainment industry’s latest technologies for creating a visual spectacular – from luminaires to atmospheric effects.
Hydra-Storm by Luminous
Luminous’ new rain machine gives users control over the intensity of the water flow, to replicate everything from light drizzle to heavy downpour.
The system is modular, meaning users can add rain heads to create any desired size. Each unit is approximately 1m in length. There’s no limit to how many can be joined together.
Responsiveness was a key metric in the development – the machine is designed to turn off and on instantly, with no unwanted dripping or mess, to ensure a clean, dry environment before and after Hydra-Storm is used.
Water can be filled manually or automatically via a recirculation and catchment system with pumps and tanks. Features include muting on output valves; the ability to daisy-chain; an internal filter; and manual isolation valves.
With touring in mind, the product has been designed to offer a compact size, and has handles for manoeuvrability.
Tambora Stormy Linear by Claypaky
This hybrid bar was launched by Claypaky in April 2025. It has 25 central RGB LED areas providing pixel-mapped colour alongside two external strobe lines – each with 125 WW/CW LEDs divided into 25 independently controllable segments. Each of the 25 control areas gives command over colour, intensity and timing.
Claypaky said this dual-engine approach enables lighting designers to wield colour and impact simultaneously, for example to create a subtle RGB backdrop that suddenly erupts into a strobe sequence, or build complex chase patterns that play across both engines.
The Advanced Layer Management System allows the blending of six distinct effect layers, three for the RGB and three for the strobes: background colour foundation, built-in macro sequence for dynamic movement, and imported video content for custom mapping.
Tambora Stormy Linear’s neutral density filters are designed to enhance pixel readability for broadcast applications, to ensure lighting designs translate perfectly to screen. The fixture offers a 120° aperture for both RGB and white LEDs, while the LEDs are designed to remain crisp and defined even from extreme distances.
The bar has an IP66 rating and weighs approximately 14kg. Claypaky said that magnetic accessory filters – including frost for softer edges and neutral density for enhanced pixel definition – attach securely without tools.
Paragon LT by Elation
Launched in August 2025 as part of Elation’s Paragon series, Paragon LT is a long-throw LED profile luminaire for large productions and stadium shows. It has an IP54 weatherproof rating for protection against water and dust ingress.
Paragon LT offers full output even with framing or animation engaged, variable CRI control from CRI 70 to CRI 93, a new dimming system boosting brightness by 4%, Turbo Mode for up to 20% more output, a lighter yet stronger chassis, quiet CMY mixing, the largest rotating gobo wheel in the company’s history, and re-engineered frost and zoom systems cutting noise by up to 10dB.
At its heart is a 1,300W variable CRI white LED engine delivering an output of up to 52,000 lumens. It has a 200mm (8in) front lens and a fast zoom range from 3.7° to 48°, to deliver both sharp, punchy beams and soft, wide wash coverage.
The Paragon LT has three gobo wheels (two rotating, one fixed), a full animation wheel, overlapping dual prisms, dual frosts, and a high-speed iris. Its indexable full-blackout framing system is designed to provide exacting beam shaping and detailed shutter cuts.
MagicDot Neo by Ayrton
Adding to its IP65 Creative Series, Ayrton’s MagicDot Neo is a cylindrical luminaire featuring a 100mm lens set within a perfect sphere. The product measures 35cm and is capable of continuous double rotation on the pan and tilt axes. Ayrton said fixtures can be clustered with minimal spacing between units to open up “previously impossible” configurations. Individual control over each light source is maintained in every direction, allowing “unprecedented levels of integration”, Ayrton said, including the creation of “ultra-compact matrices or concentric circles in which fixtures appear almost fused together”.
Equipped with a brand-new 120W RGB-L multi-chip LED source, paired with a 100mm optic, MagicDot Neo delivers a total output of 3,000 lumens for an overall power consumption of 160W, and a 16,000 lux output at a distance of 5m. MagicDot Neo is designed to switch instantly from Beam to Wash, and offer a 10:1 zoom ratio, a wide beam angle from 3-30°, a uniform beam of light with no colour shadows, and rich saturated and pastel colours.
MagicDot Neo features Ayrton’s LiquidEffect, with 60 RGB LEDs around the beam’s periphery. This, together with its intense beam, creates multicolour effects, organic lighting and complex volumetric effects.
The product is IP65 rated, has a bespoke cooling solution based on phase-change heat pipe technology, and weighs 6.6kg.
Morgane by Robert Juliat
Launched in October 2025, Robert Juliat’s new 825W LED 13°-24° followspot, Morgane, is the smaller sister of Tristan, a long-throw (7°-14.5°) model launched in 2024. Like its larger sibling, Morgane offers an increase in output and efficiency with its 825W LED source available in tunable white or in fixed cool white. Robert Juliat said its output rivals that of traditional short to mid-throw followspots.
New to Morgane is a motorised, fully closing iris that allows the creation and storage of presets for rapid cueing. New accessories and options include a remote display providing iris and intensity information; the ability to connect external remote controllers to operate the followspot from any position; and an optional version with left-side controls for iris, dimmer, frost and colour changer.
Morgane is designed to offer a smooth flat beam, ergonomic design, electronic dimming with single-handed local control, remote DMX control, frost and colour filters, six-way colour changer and a native CRI >90. Colour temperature can be controlled remotely from the console allowing real-time adjustments.
Morgane has a built-in electronic flicker-free power supply and is compatible with DMX, RDM, Ethernet, ArtNet and sACN protocols. It also has Advanced Ethernet node functionalities compatible with RDM, LLRP, zeroconf protocols.
Robert Juliat summed up by saying Tristan and Morgane offer the same output, beam angles and features as larger followspots, in a smaller body and with lower power consumption.
Maverick Force X Profile by Chauvet Professional
Despite being designed to offer a compact form factor (14.21 x 9.40 x 25.43in/361 x 239 x 646mm), this new 520W profile fixture from Chauvet Professional delivers 19,640 lumens output, with illuminance ranging from 1,207 lux to 102,764 lux, depending on the beam angle. This power-to-size balance was achieved thanks to the LED source, which does not require a large optical path or extensive cooling system.
The Maverick Force X Profile has a larger front lens (145mm diameter) than its predecessors. It offers 3.3-52.1° beam angles, 3.7-56.3° field angles, 3.3-58.5° zoom range, and pan and tilt of 540° and 270° respectively.
In terms of colour mixing, the profile offers a CRI of 72.2 (87.6 with filter). Its variable CMY colour wheel includes CRI, CTO and CTB filters plus white and split colours, and it offers continuous scroll at variable speeds.
Other features include zoom optics, framing shutters with rotation, and two gobo wheels (one rotating, and one static), as well as 16-bit dimming of master dimmer for smooth control of fades, and five-facet prism and frost, plus four-blade framing shutters with dual axis movements,
There is a battery backup display with auto-rotate depending on fixture orientation, and Ethernet connectivity that allows data to pass even if fixture power is lost.
Stradale Profile by Ayrton
Ayrton’s key aims for the Stradale Profile – unveiled in April 2025 – were to streamline the structure, refine effect modules and minimise component size. The company achieved a 15% reduction in visual footprint, and weight of 23.5kg. The product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use, even in salt-laden conditions.
Stradale Profile offers infinite continuous rotation as standard on both pan and tilt axes. Equipped with a 140mm front lens, its proprietary 13-lens optical system delivers a 13:1 zoom ratio, with a range spanning from 4° to 52°. A new 330W LED module, calibrated at 6,500K, delivers a luminous output of 20,000lm.
The product introduces a CMY progressive gradient mixing system. A refined extended CTO system allows colour temperature adjustments from 2,700K to 6,500K, and there is a seven-position colour wheel, equipped with specialised filters. Stradale Profile also offers a fine-tuned CRI adjustment from 70 to 86.
A rapid 15-blade iris allows beam optimisation with an adjustable range from 15% to 100%. The framing system is designed to enable precise positioning of each shutter blade across 100% of the beam with a +/- 90° rotation.
The image section includes 19 HD interchangeable glass gobos across two wheels – nine rotating and 10 fixed. The effects module features a monochromatic animation wheel and two combinable rotating prisms: a five-facet circular prism and a four-facet linear prism designed for 3D effects, as well as a multicolour filter with a distortion gobo. It also has two frost filters: one soft diffusion filter to smooth edges without altering the beam angle and a heavier diffusion filter for true wash applications.
Arolla Aqua HP by Claypaky
This IP66-rated moving head, part of Claypaky’s long-throw range, combines beam, profile, wash, colour and effects in a single fixture. Its custom 1,400W white LED engine delivers over 60,000 lumens, and its 220mm (8.7in) front lens is designed to produce intense, sharp beams that remain impactful over long distances. It has a zoom range of 3.6-55°, transitioning from narrow beams to wide washes.
The Arolla Aqua HP’s tools include its four-plane framing system with built-in macros for precise shaping and signature effects such as the Total Curtain, which uses individual blades to create a complete and precise blackout across the entire beam aperture.
In terms of colour control there is CMY and linear CTO mixing, complemented by two dedicated colour wheels. The creative toolbox includes two rotating gobo wheels for dynamic textures, two rotating prisms for kaleidoscopic beam multiplication, and an animation disc. The Lineguard frost system, featuring dual pairs of blades, is designed to soften the beam without losing definition.
The Absolute Position sensor system continuously tracks real-time pan and tilt positions, which Claypaky said enables perfect repositioning even after power cycles or accidental movement without manual recalibration. There is an electronic brake system to prevent drift and shake even on moving platforms or in windy conditions.
The FS version transforms Arolla Aqua HP into a followspot solution through its integrated external camera connection system (digital camera is not included). This enables operators to control the fixture remotely.
WildBar 16 by GLP
The GLP WildBar 16 is a weatherproof show lighting bar with 16 40W RGBL LEDs, delivering a total output of up to 10,300 lumens and 561kcd. It combines a motorised 200° tilt with a zoom range from 4° to 44°, allowing the creation of either ultra-parallel 4° light curtains with long reach, or evenly wide washes for area illumination.
GLP said that with patented identical pixel pitch both within and between fixtures, multiple bars can be combined seamlessly, resulting in perfect pixel pitch and homogeneous effects that can be reproduced across endless LED lines, ideal for pixel mapping and large-scale installations.
The iQ.Gamut colour technology is designed to deliver both rich primary colours and delicate pastel shades, along with perfectly reproducible white light.
GLP said that features such as ColorMix modes, realistic tungsten emulation and consistent colour matching simplify design work and ensure uniform colour across all fixtures using the iQ.Gamut colour algorithm.
The integrated FX engine offers a wide range of pattern effects that can be combined with tilt and zoom.
The Basic and Pixel DMX modes are designed to enable quick patching and easy re-patching.
Magma Fog 1500 IP by Elation
This water-based, IP65-rated fog machine from Elation can be used to add atmosphere to stages in busy venues and rental projects, indoors or out. A thermally protected 1,500W heat exchanger produces an output of 60,000ft³/min, and when operating at 100%, the unit can shoot a 40-second burst of dense fog.
Housing a 5 litre (1.32 gallon) tank, the Magma Fog 1500 IP has a fluid consumption rate of 200ml/min (6.76oz). It is recommended for use with Magmatic’s Atmosity Extreme Filtered Fog Fluid for a high-quality dense fog, with other Atmosity fluids compatible depending on application.
The Magma Fog 1500 IP has aluminium housing and is designed for durability and robustness. It can be set in a corner, positioned side stage, or hidden in a venue, and features two carrying handles. A hanging bracket for truss mounting is included.
The unit has an onboard LCD touchscreen control panel with manual and timer control options, DMX-512 and RDM control, and optional wired and wireless remote control options. It comes with IP65 locking power in and IP65 locking 5pin XLR connectors (DMX In/Out) for operation outdoors.
This feature was written by Izzy Kington, and first published in November 2025 in the 2026 Annual Showcase issue of Auditoria.
