Market report: Sound engineers
E3: FORECASTS OF AVERAGE PAYMENT PER PROJECT 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
10 20 30 40 50 60 70
0 Increase Decrease
E4: RANKED IMPORTANCE OF WORKLOAD BY EVENT TYPE, 2010, 2011, 2012 2013
5
2010 2011 2012 2013
4 Stay the same
2010 2011 2012 2013
3 2
Expressions of concern about the increasingly cost-driven nature of the live sector are nothing new, but they have undoubtedly intensified this year
1
The average suggested increase was an entirely reasonable 5%. There was more evidence of
0
Live music Live music Theatrical Conference (concert halls) (clubs/pubs) production
Other
movement in a query about expected average payments. Once again, the largest single group predicted that payments would generally stay the same, although their share of the respondents had increased somewhat (72%, vs 48% last year). On the other hand, the percentage actively expecting a decline dropped slightly, from 24% last year to 12% in 2013 (Graph E3). Not much sign of wild optimism here, then, but nothing to frighten the horses either. More interesting
The Japanese Popstars from Northern Ireland do their own submixing, thank you very much, and all through an Allen & Heath ZED-420 USB mixer
20 l PSNLIVE 2013
developments to observe in the next area of enquiry, though, with the importance of non- performance activities – eg, fixed installations, corporate work, private events, etc – continuing to rise. By contrast, the contribution to their incomes of live music declined somewhat (Graph E4). Whereas last year insufficient set-up/preparation time was
deemed to be the factor with the greatest negative impact on live sound projects, deficiencies in venue infrastructure/systems emerged as the most important factor in 2013. Nonetheless, insufficient set-up time remained a significant consideration, alongside inadequate equipment and insufficient back- up/support (Graph E5). At this juncture in
proceedings, engineers were asked to nominate a specific piece of equipment they would like to purchase if funds allowed. Not surprisingly, digital consoles of one kind or another featured prominently, with Midas’s PRO2 and Soundcraft’s Si Expression among the popular choices. A new Funktion One loudspeaker system, GDS wireless uplighters and items from Peavey’s MediaMatrix audio processing, distribution and control system were among the other products cited. References to the latest digital audio and control systems suggest that audio
engineers are keeping pace with the times – but is that true in general? In a result virtually unchanged from last year, 92% of respondents said that they regarded themselves as either ‘very much’ or ‘to some degree’ up-to-date with the latest developments in audio technology (Graph E6). The debate around audio
networking – in particular, the AVB and Ravenna projects, both of which now attract widespread industry support – continues to intensify. Last year, the percentage of engineers expecting networking to have a substantial impact on their daily working lives over the next 2-3 years rose to a very emphatic 72%. That total dropped in 2013, but only by 8% (Graph E7). Interestingly, however, the
number of hardcore cynics about networking had risen somewhat – from 4% to 16%. An anomaly, or could it be that the networking backlash has started? In truth, it’s probably too early to tell either way.
www.psneurope.com
1= Highest Priority, 5 = Lowest Priority
% of respondents
(No comparison exists)
Pic: Lousie Stickland,
Loosplat.com Ltd
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