50 l March 2012 SOUNDBITES live UNITED STATES/UNITED KINGDOM
Dusseldorf-based SLD has invested in a Uniline line array system from French manufacturer APG. Supplied as a complete turnkey setup, fully flightcased with standard racks and Lab.gruppen FP Series amplifiers, the new Uniline system comprises 12 UL210 full range mid/hi cabinets, six UL115B bass enclosures and four TB118S subwoofers managed by an APG DMS26 digital loudspeaker processor. www.apg.tm.fr
dBTechnologies speakers were chosen by rental company Angel Dominguez Sonido (AD Sonido) for last month’s Davis Cup tennis final at the Estadio Olímpico in Seville. The system comprised a number of DVA T4, S20 and Opera Digital 410D boxes. www.dbtechnologies.com
Recently reunited Canadian neo-progressive rock group SAGA have just completed a European tour, during which frontman Michael Sadler relied on an Electro-Voice REV system with a handheld microphone, equipped with an N/D767a capsule. An Electro-Voice RE320 microphone was also employed to capture drummers Brian Doerner and Stefan Peschgens. www.electrovoice.com
PLASA in focus for future
Trade body builds on regional shows in Europe and US – and co-operates with NAMM By Jim Evans
INDUSTRYorganisations PLASA and NAMM have announced an agreement to bring more audio, lighting, video and stage technology professionals to Nashville during the 2012 Summer NAMM event. As part of the agreement, PLASA will hold its new PLASA Focus: Nashville 2012 event to overlap with 2012 Summer NAMM. Following last month’s successful PLASA Focus: Austin 2012, PLASA Focus: Nashville 2012 will be PLASA’s second regional event in North America and will be held from 11-12 July 2012 at Nashville's Municipal Auditorium downtown. Summer NAMM will take place on 12-14 July at the Nashville Convention Center. In 2013, NAMM and PLASA will further develop this
relationship by staging a PLASA Focus event at Summer NAMM inside the new Music City Center, allowing more space for exhibitors along with the music products (MI) showfloor and educational sessions.
Number of visitors to PLASA Focus: Leeds 2011
2,500
These moves come a year after PLASA and US-based ESTA merged under the PLASA name, to create a body with a worldwide membership of over 1,240 companies and individuals. How is the combined
operation working out? “Remarkably well,” says PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths. “The first year was all about making
The first US show proved a success
sure we had the right building blocks in place. There’s still fine-tuning to be done, making sure we’re not doubling up on things for example. Overall it is working smoothly.” The organisation will continue
to operate out of its two hubs – in North America and Europe. “But that’s not to say we might not add further bases in due course,” says Griffiths. Trade shows remain a key
ingredient in the mix; PLASA Focus events are proving a major draw on both sides of the Atlantic. PLASA Focus: Leeds 2011 attracted over 2,500 visitors; the 2012 edition runs 17-18 April. Asked to account for this success, Griffiths suggests: “It’s what the
“The major task at present is establishing PLASA as a global trade body, including the establishment of regional boards” Matthew Griffiths, PLASA
market wants – a regional show embracing regional projects, bringing people together and giving them the opportunity to talk about regional issues as well as national ones. “We have a very good team putting the events together. We will certainly consider rolling out the format more fully in Europe. In the US we have announced the second show in Nashville. It’s a model that works.” The main annual PLASA show in London itself remains a key fixture in the entertainment technology calendar. “That’s a different animal serving different markets,” says Griffiths. “Despite all the debate about the Olympic Games effect, bookings are going very well for this year. We’re ahead of where we were this time last year in terms of the number of exhibitors. Also, we’re building much more into the show this year in terms of seminars, training and other attractions.” And the hardy annual question
– Will PLASA be staying at Earls Court? “Obviously, we are there for 2012. We are about to discuss 2013. Past that we are taking an internal view on where we want to go with the show. I think we can be at Earls Court as long as we want, it all depends whether we want to develop the show via another venue. London is certainly our thinking at present.” www.plasa.org