THE PAST four editions of the PSNLive annual manufacturers’ survey have depicted a sector gradually recovering much of its mid-Noughties lustre. The strength of live music and post have, it is clear, offset large swathes of the decline witnessed in the traditional studio business. Simultaneously, the prospect of analogue sunset has precipitated a rolling programme of investment by hire/rental companies in new digital technology. This year’s survey, it is true,
does evince signs of a slight deflation in confidence levels. The share of businesses expecting their activity levels to increase has dipped slightly, although at 73% it is still highly respectable. The percentage of respondents forecasting an increase in the overall live sound business has also declined, but the largest single share predicts a static situation, and in the current environment that counts as an honourable result. The UK market is especially
well-represented among this year’s respondents, the full breakdown of which can be seen in Graph M1. As in previous years, loudspeaker/amplifier manufacturers dominated the field, followed by console- makers (Graph M2).
CORE MARKET DATA In the first part of the survey, companies were invited to nominate three countries in which they are expecting to register notable expansion during the next 12 months. Given its phenomenal growth rates over the past 10 years, it was no surprise to discover China leading the field, with 36% of respondents putting the country in their top three. Rather more surprisingly given its present economic issues, the US rose up the priority list this year, to second place, and was cited by 24% of companies. Two economic powerhouses – one established, one emerging – in the form of Germany and India occupied third and fourth positions, respectively, while France demonstrated its (modest) economic recovery in fifth place (M3). By some margin, an
improvement in distribution arrangements was the most
12 l PSNLIVE 2012
Audio manufacturers are cognisant of the economic challenges affecting the live sector, but are hardly at panic stations as activity levels remain strong. As David Davies reports, the quickening pace of technological change is also helping to maintain morale
M2:MARKET SECTORS IN WHICH COMPANIES OPERATE Speaker/amplifiers .49 Consoles...................16 Other........................15 Processors ................11 Mics/headphones......8
The prospect of an analogue sunset is contributing to a programme of investment in the latest digital technology
M3: ORIGIN OF RESPONDENTS China........................36 USA.........................24 Germany..................20 India.........................20 France.......................16 Korea........................12 Netherlands..............12 Belgium .....................8 South America...........8 Rest of the World.......4
Building consoles and mixers in the Allen & Heath facility, Cornwall, UK
commonly-cited reason in explaining individual growth forecasts, along with increased marketing efforts and brand recognition. Cheeringly, the greatest single
share of respondents predicted a rise in their own sales during full calendar year 2012. The percentage was down from last year (73% vs 95%), but given the current landscape that
Once again, no one issued a forecast of decline (M4). Responses to a question
about expectations for the overall European live audio business were consistent with the above. Continuing a long- term trend, the percentage of companies forecasting an increase declined once again (20% vs 50% in 2011). While hardly news likely to set the