Market report: Sound engineers
first time, it eclipsed the contribution made by live events in concert halls (2.79 vs 3.08 on a scale of 1 to 5 in which 1 is the most important). Indeed, the latter was pushed into third place by conference work, whose contribution rose significantly. So is this a real turning point for
themselves as being either very or partially up-to-speed with the latest developments – just as well, one can’t help thinking, given the massive impact of digital workflows and networking (E6). Ah yes, networking... Brave New Dawn or, quite frankly, the
Insufficient set-up time emerged as the greatest negative impact on live sound projects
the composition of engineers’ daily working lives? Only time – and future surveys – will tell (Graph E4). Meanwhile, there was
evidence of further continuity about the factors with the greatest negative impact on live sound projects. Reflecting what appear to be widespread concerns regarding the influence of tighter turnarounds, insufficient set-up/preparation time emerged as the single greatest consideration. In addition, there was an increased showing for inadequate equipment, suggesting that live audio specifications may be feeling the squeeze as the focus on the bottom line intensifies (E5). Several interviewees raised other factors, including inadequate staffing levels and “insufficient information” from clients.
TECHNOLOGY TRENDS After last year’s modest ‘blip’, the 2012 survey indicated that the vast majority of live sound engineers are getting to grips with technological change. Collectively, 96% described
subject of premature hype? Results to this query in the previous two studies yielded little in the way of consensus. In 2010, 67% of respondents expected networking to have a very considerable impact on their working life over the ensuing 2-3 years, but by the following year this had dropped
dramatically to just 33%. In 2012 – undoubtedly influenced by the momentum behind Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) and related technologies – the tide has turned back decisively in favour of networking. An emphatic 72% of those surveyed predicted that networking would exert a major influence on their working practices in the near- future, with only 4% adopting the opposite stance (E7). Interviewees were then asked to picture an ideal-world scenario in which they could purchase or specify one particular system or technology. Maintaining the trend established by previous reports, the largest single share (56%) alluded to digital consoles of one variety or another, with Yamaha, Soundcraft and Midas desks among the most popular choices. Gratifyingly for Martin
E2: FORECASTS OF WORKLOAD IN FULL CALENDAR YEAR 2010, 2011, 2012
10 20 30 40 50 60
0 (1 = most important, 5 = least important)
www.joeco.co.uk
www.prosoundnewseurope.com PSNLIVE 2012 l 21
E3: FORECASTS OF AVERAGE PAYMENT PER PROJECT 2010, 2011, 2012
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
0
2010 2011 2012
E4: RANKED IMPORTANCE OF WORKLOAD BY EVENT TYPE, 2010, 2011, 2012
2010 2011 2012
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0
2010 2011 2012
Increase (2010) Increase (2011) Increase (2012)
Decrease (2010) Decrease (2011) Decrease (2012)
Stay the same (2010) Stay the same (2011) Stay the same (2012)
Live music (concert halls (2010) Live music (concert halls (2011) Live music (concert halls (2012)
Live music (clubs/pubs (2010) Live music (clubs/pubs (2011) Live music (clubs/pubs (2012)
Theatrical production (2010) Theatrical production (2011) Theatrical production (2012)
Conference (2010) Conference (2011) Conference (2012)
Other (2010) Other (2011)) Other (2012)
Decrease (2010) Decrease (2011) Decrease (2012)
Increase (2010) Increase (2011) Increase (2012)
Stay the same (2010) Stay the same (2011) Stay the same (2012)
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44