Pro Light & Sound day one
Published: ASIA
WORLD: Pro Light & Sound got off to a promising start in an overcast Frankfurt. As usual, the show has been crammed with key launches from a wealth of manufacturers.
Amongst the frequent press conference launches on day one was DiGiCo announcing, amongst other things, the SD Ten Theatre, the broadcast-specific SD9B, and the SD Convert which allows session files to be transferred between SD desks. Meanwhile, the Martin Audio booth drew large crowds when it unveiled its brand new MLA Mini, a versatile line array that can be used for live sound events, venues, theatre applications, the installation market and houses of worship. Other companies unveiling headline new products at the show included Allen & Heath, Audient, Clear-Com, Lab.gruppen, Rupert Neve Designs, Steinberg, SSL and Yamaha.
APG took the opportunity to launch its first ever range of company branded amplifiers, the SA20:2 and the SA30:2, which are based on Powersoft’s flagship K series range. The brand also debuted its DMS48 digital system processor and the DX5 monitor speaker. Xavier Pion, international business development director, APG, spoke to Pro Audio Asia on his thoughts on the tradeshow so far: ‘We are very selective about what trade shows we attend, and Frankfurt is definitely the most international show in Europe. It is the European equivalent of Namm in the US, and here we meet all of our contacts from all over the world. Every key manufacturer in lighting, sound and video is here from all around the world,’ he continued. ‘This is the tradeshow you have to be at. If you're not here, it means you got lost!’
This sentiment was shown across the halls at Messe. ‘This is an important show as all the professional audio people come here from all around the world,’ noted Treva Head, managing director of Stagetec Mediagroup Australia. ‘You basically get to workshop with other people and learn how to use their products with yours, and it’s quite an exciting show as there is always something new here. It had been a quiet start, but hopefully it will pick up tomorrow. It’s a key show, and we will definitely be back next year.’
The extensive Harman stand featured a new addition in the form of the manufacturer’s latest acquisition, Martin Professional. ‘The interesting thing for us at Harman this year is that we’ve integrated lighting into an audio company and it’s going fantastically,’ said Soundcraft Studer’s Keith Watson. ‘We’ve got Martin Professional here demonstrating products that are integrated with our platform, and it’s going great.’ This point was helpfully demonstrated by the Si Performer that is operating the Martin lights on the both. ‘We’ve got new launches from JBL here, and we’ve got 10 new AKG launches, new stuff from dbx, and new networking from our audio architect people. It’s very busy.’
Bernhard Wustner, managing director and co owner of TW Audio, was also keen to share his thoughts on the tradeshow: ‘I think we have customers from 30 different countries coming here this year, so it looks like a very good show so far. From what I can see, there is very good attendance. The first two days are usually the best days, but it looks very good so far. Some of the aisles are less busy, but our guys did a good booth design, so it’s open and friendly.’
Pro Light & Sound continues at Frankfurt Messe until April 13th.