Prolight + Sound emphasised an expanded ProAudio offering for the 2024 show.
Among other things, visitors can look forward to a 3000 m² Performance + Production Hub, new attractions, a programme of specialist lectures and the return of exhibitors.
The focus will be on live and concert sound reinforcement as well as studio and broadcast solutions. Companies will be demonstrating sound reinforcement systems under realistic conditions on the outdoor exhibition area. There will also be an extensive supporting programme covering a wide range of current and future-oriented topics.
The ProAudio sector at Prolight + Sound 2024 offers some highlights. One of these is the newly created Immersive Audio Dome in Hall 11, which is being realised in cooperation with Quickspace and United Brands. The latter will present product innovations from Adamson in the installation – combined in a system consisting of a large number of loudspeakers and the Fletcher Machine, a multichannel audio rendering processor. The interior of the 100 m² igloo-shaped dome offers space for around 75 people and is equipped with a full-surface projection screen.
Also new is the Audio Bar (Hall 11) where high-quality headphones from well-known brands – including AIAIAI, Beyerdynamic, Audio-Technica, Ollo Audio, Tascam, HEDD, Rode and Pioneer.
This year, a record number of four audio stages await the public on the outdoor area in front of Hall 11: In the Live Sound Arena, stage constructions will be shown in their ideal form and sound reinforcement systems will be demonstrated under realistic conditions. Manufacturers such as Harmonic Design, CELTO, HK Audio, KV2 Audio, Voice-Acoustic, Aura Audio and audio zenit will be demonstrating their systems here.
RCF and dbTechnologies are returning as exhibitors at the upcoming event and will each be presenting their products on their own outdoor demo stage, among other things. The area will be completed by the DAS Audio demo stage.
Those looking for quieter sounds will find what they are looking for at the Silent Stage (Hall 11). The company “InEar” will be presenting its innovative, integrated sound technology solutions there.
The Performance + Production Hub will be expanded to 3000 m², making it the largest area for music production and DJing in Europe. At the centre of the concept is the combination of product experience, knowledge transfer and entertainment. From live performances and product presentations to visual showcases and workshops with experts from well-known brands, the area offers creative input for the use of innovative sound tools.
A number of top brands will be presenting their innovations in areas such as mixers and controllers, digital audio workstations, samplers and sequencers, synthesisers, grooveboxes and effects units as well as mobile DJ equipment. New products such as the eagerly awaited FGDP controller from Yamaha and the Push 3 controller from Ableton will be presented.
In the Music Production Corner, software tools meet midi controllers and beat sequencers and the boundaries between studio production and live performance become blurred. Specialised education stations offer knowledge on topics such as field recording, motion sensors and live sound branding.
In the new 100 m² “Live Box”, the audience can experience live performances by well-known artists in top sound quality, including DJ Emanuel Satie, guitarist Yasi Hofer, ARKAI, Denise Frey, Dshanna, Escape Kid, Ray-D, Tim Kroker and many other international artists.
Other items such as music notation for modular performances (in cooperation with SOMA Synths), live demonstrations in the Hub’s broadcast studio and the Annual Scratch Battle round off the extensive programme.
Expert knowledge is offered by the ProAudio College, which is organised jointly with the Association of German Sound Engineers (VDT) and is part of the “Prolight + Sound College”. After last year’s great success, the free offer will be expanded at the upcoming show and internationalised with a bilingual lecture programme (German and English).
The focus of the lecture programme will be on current trends in the sound reinforcement scene, innovations in home studio productions and exclusive training modules from the SQQ7 educational standard curriculum.
Developed by a broad-based working group under the leadership of the VDT, this standard defines learning objectives for further training to become a “certified sound specialist”. Other topics include future scenarios and tips for young professionals, the physical principles of room acoustics, methods for transmitting synchronised A/V media data, sound check guides and frequency management. All participants receive written confirmation of the knowledge they have acquired.
First-hand expertise will also be provided by a series of keynotes on the subject of sound. For example, Michael Kastner, Head of Product at HOLOPLOT, will provide insights into their unique X1 Matrix Array audio solution, which is part of the mega-project Sphere in Las Vegas.
