60 Seconds With Focusrite Pro, Rupert Neve Designs , Alcons Audio, Sennheiser and EVE Audio

Audio Media International started this series for our newsletter and, by popular demand, we’re picking five interviews every now and then and putting them on the site while we miss the usual shows and conventions. If you want to be featured or want to nominate someone, email rosie@audiomediainternational.com.

Jamie Gomez, Global Marketing Manager, Focusrite Pro

Where are you right now?
At my desk in my living room
What is the last album you listened to?
Sound Ancestors – Madlib
Describe 2021 so far in one sentence.
Busy, challenging with a sprinkle ofunpredictability.
When does live music come back?
Summer 2021 – and I cannot wait!
What skill have you developed in lockdown?
Understanding theimportance of a phone callrather than an email and a quick check in to see how staff are feeling on a professional and personal level.
Tell us something you’ve never told anyone else?
I am happiest when gardening and making food with home-grown vegetables. 

Chris Dauray, Brand Manager, Rupert Neve Designs

Where are you right now?
At home in Los Angeles, California.
What is the last album you listened to?
‘Complete Strangers’ by Vetiver.
Describe 2021 so far in one sentence.
Profoundly sad, given the passing of our company co-founder and mentor Rupert Neve – but we are beyond honored to carry his design legacy into the future.
What skill have you developed in lockdown?
Editing in Adobe Premiere while parenting a two-year-old.
Apart from friends and family, what have you most missed this year?
French restaurants, especially Petit Trois here in LA.
What live event do you most want to go to in 2021?
I want to take my son to a show at the Hollywood Bowl. Nearly any show will do, he’s not particular!
Tell us something you’ve never told anyone else?
I really enjoy putting together Ikea furniture. 

Robert Gort, Global Marketing & Sales Support, Alcons Audio

Where are you right now?
At my desk editing the photos I took of a new Alcons product 😉
What is the last album you listened to?
The Prodigy – Experience, oldie but to me still a very goodie.
Describe 2021 so far in one sentence.
The best is yet to come.
What skill have you developed in lockdown?
Made some first steps in video editing which I always wanted to do. Far from a pro yet but will continue to work on it.
Apart from friends and family, what have you most missed this year?
Just the simple things our government prohibited us from. Going out to dinner, visit a cinema, things like that. 
What live event do you most want to go to in 2021?
I’ve always wanted to see a Hans Zimmer show but the planned one over here in the Netherlands is already postponed until ’22.  For the outdoor season there are a lot of cancellations unfortunately but we’ll see.  
Tell us something you’ve never told anyone else?
Ha, that’s impossible as I’m an ‘open book’ so unfortunately no secrets revealed here. 

Sofia Brazzola, Brand & Marketing Manager, Sennheiser

Where are you right now?
Working from home in Zurich, Switzerland
What is the last album you listened to?
“Knee-Deep in the North Sea” by Portico Quartet
Describe 2021 so far in one sentence.
Hope and disillusion
What skill have you developed in lockdown? 
Virtual networking skills, as you now have to try much harder to stay connected to your community.
Apart from friends and family, what have you most missed this year? 
I’ve missed live music concerts the most, big and small, and traveling on business and on pleasure.
What’s the biggest change to pro audio industry this year?
Artists have spent their time rehearsing, recording and experimenting this past year which I am sure will lead to a wave of quality productions soon. They have been holding off from live concerts though, postpones initially to 2021 and now to 2022 and beyond. What I don’t see happening enough is the shift towards virtual live concerts powered by immersive audio and streaming technology – the live experience could be enhanced and revolutionized if key players would take up the challenge.
What live event do you most want to go to in 2021? 
Innovation and music tech conferences, to keep my inspiration up and meet new visionary people.
Tell us something you’ve never told anyone else?
I wished I moved to Bahamas before this pandemic and remote work situation. 

Kerstin Mischke , Sales & Marketing Manager, EVE Audio

Where are you right now?
I’m indeed in the factory in office. Despite lockdown and by keeping distance to the colleagues we can keep coming to the factory which I have really learned to appreciate.    
What is the last album you listened to?
That was from Rammstein the Herzeleid XXV anniversary edition remastered    
Describe 2021 so far in one sentence.
To me 2021 is going fast, and although we face lots of restrictions in Germany 2021 is positive to me and nevertheless its promising    
What skill have you developed in lockdown? 
I learned to be patient and I learned a lot more about digital marketing and how to use that best in times of no tradeshows and lock down.    
Apart from friends and family, what have you most missed this year? 
I missed not being able to go out and not being able to travel.  
What’s the biggest change to pro audio industry this year?
The biggest change is the sudden stop in live sector and that there are no trade shows. We always took trade shows for granted and all by a sudden they don’t take place anymore.
What live event do you most want to go to in 2021? 
Well, I still have a ticket for a Rammstein concert that was postponed from 2020 to 2021. I´d love to use that ticket and go to see them. I do hope it will take place but at the present moment I doubt they can tour this year at all….    
Tell us something you’ve never told anyone else?
Yes, I do love German Sauerkraut!