Market report: Sound engineers


E5: RELATIVE IMPACT OF WORKLOAD BY EVENT TYPE, 2010, 2011, 2012


0 1 2 3 4


(6 = most important, 1 = least important)


2010 2011 2012


Main pic: Hugo Schloten (left) and Jeroen ten Brinke, resident FOH engineers, babysitting and mixing on two (brand new!) DiGiCo SD5 consoles at FOH, two SD7s for monitors, at the Nile stage, North Sea Jazz Festival for Ampco Flashlight Rental Inset: Matt Napier with DiGiCo SD7 monitor console for Madonna , July 2012, at new venue the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam


Audio, there were also several namechecks for the manufacturer’s MLA (Multi- cellular Loudspeaker Array) – a system that, for many, seems to have raised the bar regarding expectations of sound reinforcement equipment.


FUTURE DAYS For the final section of the survey, engineers were asked to reflect at greater length upon the developments likely to shape their work patterns in the short- to mid-term future. Almost inevitably, the


prospect of an analogue sunset was a recurring theme, with the majority of contributors taking a positive view. As one remarked: “There will be a lot [of new] digital equipment being introduced, but this will make life easier, speeding everything up and making things more accessible.” But transition can be testing, and several cited the challenge of


inevitability, with some welcoming the technology’s potential for flexible configurations and others anticipating that it will “create a lot of problems that need to be solved”.


This concern fed into the final


area of enquiry, about the main challenges currently confronting the live sound sector. Identifying and retaining crew with sufficient levels of knowledge about emerging technologies


public (“the main problem is money”) were among the other issues to be raised. There was also a feeling that the economic context could be impinging on the overall quality of presentation: “Some people are looking for the best price – not the best quality.”


SUMMARY A sense of trepidation is to be expected in such an uncertain period economically – especially when it arrives during a phase


In 2012 – undoubtedly influenced by the momentum behind AVB – the tide has turned back decisively in favour of networking having a major impact


was a common theme, with one contributor remarking that “not everybody is able to use the kind of technology that is being introduced, especially the older


“Networking will create a lot of problems that need to be solved” Respondent


“having to constantly update equipment”.


In tandem with the ongoing shift to digital, many interviewees opted to focus on the impact of networking. Evident here was a sense of


22 l PSNLIVE 2012


generation”. More worryingly, another observed, simply, that “the quality of staff is a lot lower than it used to be”. The spectre of spectrum


reallocation and reduced levels of disposable income among the


when digital and networking are enacting a paradigm shift in methodology. But overall, live sound engineers appear to be satisfied with the shape of the industry, one in which any cancellations on the festival front are being offset by increased opportunities in areas such as theatre and conferencing. There are even signs that average payments could be about to rise... Indeed, for those who are responsive to change in working practices and technology, it’s clear that rewarding work – creatively and financially – is there for the taking. PSNLIVE 2012


E6: EXTENT TO WHICH ENGINEERS CONSIDER THEMSELVES UP TO DATE WITH AUDIO DEVELOPMENTS, 2010, 2011, 2012


10 20 30 40 50 60


0


2010 2011 2012


(1 = most important, 5 = least important)


E7: EXTENT TO WHICH NETWORKING EXPECTED TO AFFECT DAILY WORKING LIFE OVER NEXT 2-3 YEARS, 2010, 2011, 2012


10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80


0


2010 2011 2012


(1 = most important, 5 = least important) www.prosoundnewseurope.com


Very much (2010) Very much (2011) Very much (2012)


Very much (2010) Very much (2011) Very much (2012)


Insufficient back-up/support (2010) Insufficient back-up/support (2011) Insufficient back-up/support (2012)


Inadequate equipment (2010) Inadequate equipment (2011) Inadequate equipment (2012)


To some degree (2010) To some degree (2011) To some degree (2012)


To some degree (2010) To some degree (2011) To some degree (2012)


Very little (2010) Very little (2011) Very little (2012)


Insufficient set-up/prep time (2010) Insufficient set-up/prep time (2011) Insufficient set-up/prep time (2012)


Not really (2010) Not really (2011) Not really (2012)


Deficiencies in venue infrastructure/systems (2010) Deficiencies in venue infrastructure/systems (2011) Deficiencies in venue infrastructure/systems (2012)


Other (2010) n/a Other (2011) Other (2012)


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