PLASA 2019 Preview

The PLASA Show has announced huge support from the audio industry with L-Acoustics, CODA Audio, d&b audiotechnik and Void Acoustics among the brands supporting the event at London Olympia from 15-17 September.

PLASA has also doubled the amount of audio demonstrations on offer, including three exclusive ‘Audio Lounges’, as well as announcing a new live feature, Stage to Studio – where a live band will be recorded in front of an audience by a renowned sound engineer.

The professional sessions will run from 3pm on Sunday 15th and Monday 16th September, revealing what it takes to get the best recording from a live performance. With the engineer’s Digital Audio Workstation displayed above the stage and live commentary, the audience will learn top level techniques for capturing high quality sound from the stage. This will include microphone choices and placements, step-by-step mix decisions, and how to maximise multi-track recordings.

Following the sessions, the audio stem files will be made available and a competition will open. A team of experts will then pick the best mix and the winner will receive an exclusive professional audio prize.

On the product side, CODA Audio is set to make its PLASA debut at the 2019 edition of the show, while Void Acoustics will take a stand as well as a space in the main audio demo room. They join L-Acoustics, Bose, Yamaha and Audio-Technica among others.

Meanwhile, d&b audiotechnik have joined the show as a headline sponsor. Visitors will find their installation and touring systems on both the Sound Foundation Limited (SFL) and SSE stands, alongside products from Sennheiser, DiGiCo, DPA Microphones and Avid.

L-Acoustics will have a dedicated lounge in which they will showcase their A Series medium throw solution for touring and installations, while RCF will take the third lounge in which they will reveal their latest releases. In the main demo area, there will be back-to-back demos from Adam Hall, Shermann Audio, Void Acoustics, Aura Audio and OHM. KV2 Audio will also take a separate space, demoing their products throughout the show, and OutBoard TiMax will present their latest immersive audio technologies.

A ground-breaking mental health installation called ‘Blackout’ will also run across all the days of the show. After an acclaimed initial run at Guildford School of Acting (University of Surrey) earlier this year, this unique fusion of cutting-edge technology, art, theatre and education will visit PLASA as it gears up for a nationwide roll out.

Blackout is a multisensory experience that aims to give visitors a rare insight into the mind of someone with Bipolar II disorder. Utilising an innovative combination of light, sound, video and vibration, the installation creates a sensory journey into a Bipolar II patient’s head as they transition through a hyper-manic and manic low episode. The experience has been created for a single viewer and lasts six minutes.

AMI spoke exclusively to the event’s organisers: “We are looking forward to opening the doors to PLASA Show 2019, which has a focus on immersive experiences, professional sessions and next generation technology – we really feel that this year’s show might be the most exciting edition yet,” says PLASA managing director Peter Heath. “Our new feature, Stage to Studio: Recording a live band, should be a real eye opener, with top level engineers capturing live sound from the stage, sharing their well-honed recording techniques.

“On the show floor, visitors can expect to meet pro audio brands such as Bose, Adamson, Sennheiser, d&b audiotechnik, L-Acoustics and many more. We’re also pleased to welcome Void Acoustics, CODA Audio and CUK Audio for the first time. Last year’s edition of the show was the busiest and most vibrant in recent years, and we hope that the readers of Audio Media International will help us raise the bar even higher!”

PLASA’s head of events, Sophie Atkinson, adds: “PLASA Show is much more than just a trade show – the show offers a market-leading programme of free-to-attend talks, training, demos and sessions. We’re delighted to announce that the amount of audio demos has doubled this year, with dedicated ‘lounges’ for L-Acoustics, RCF and Sound Technology, as well as a KV2 Audio demo room and a main space for Adam Hall, Shermann, Aura Audio, OHM and newcomers Void Acoustics.

“The seminar programme fills three theatres over all three days. Highlights include ‘Equal rights for audio!’ looking at how lighting and set design affect live sound; ‘How to survive and thrive in the live music industry’ led by Women in Live Music; ‘Sound for worship’ offering church audio solutions; and ‘The future of audio for theatre productions’ presented by Shure, in association with Curtain Call. I would say that there’s something for everyone, and we can’t wait to share what we have in store!”

www.plasashow.com