South Africa - Norwood Productions has recently bolstered its audio capabilities with the acquisition of premium d&b audiotechnik equipment from distributor Stage Audio Works.
This recent investment has expanded the scope of Norwood Productions' involvement in the live events sector, allowing them to serve larger audiences and meet the high international standards of touring artists. Behind these recent investments is an inspirational journey and a story of growth and adaptability, backed by a strong ongoing relationship with Stage Audio Works.
“I started Norwood Productions in 2018 out of my garage with just a small PA system of two tops and two subs. Back then, I was catering largely for corporate events,” recalls Chris Norwood, founder and director at Norwood Productions. “We steadily built the business, adding in some visual elements such as LEDs and screens, and when COVID-19 hit in 2020, we had the foresight to recognise and act upon the impact that the pandemic would have on the business.”
Norwood Productions invested in its first Blackmagic equipment, purchased from Stage Audio Works. With this new acquisition, the team opened a studio for live broadcast and streaming, demand for which skyrocketed in response to the blackout on live events during the pandemic. At this time, Norwood Production’s product portfolio focused on lighting, staging and cameras, with no immediate need for larger-scale audio equipment.
“Once the pandemic was over and live events were starting up again, this was our motivation to go full tilt into an industry that I’ve always been passionate about,” explains Norwood. “My background as a FOH engineer and love of the rock & roll scene was another reason I’ve always wanted to push Norwood Productions in this direction.”
Whilst Norwood and the team have since built a reputation in the corporate events market, working with leading brands and companies, the recent purchase of a d&b audiotechnik V-Series PA system has put them at an advantage to cater for international touring artists and larger live events.
When considering the options for a premium PA system, Norwood Productions shopped around, but ultimately d&b audiotechnik came out as the preferred choice.
Through investing in d&b’s V-Series, Norwood Productions is firmly placed at the forefront of the live production market in South Africa. Through collaboration with other local production companies who also offer d&b audiotechnik gear, the system can be scaled up to even the largest events and meet the needs of the most demanding international artists.
Norwood Productions own both V-Series line array systems and V-Series point source loudspeakers, enabling them to serve the growing number of live events alongside their existing client base within the corporate market.
“The point sources are awesome because it gives us the ability to really scale down when we need to work on a small event,” says Norwood. “With these boxes, you can have them running at 50% but the sound quality still remains perfect – this is a key benefit for our business and is unique to d&b products.” Equipped with a full V-Series portfolio, the team can serve audiences from 80 people up to crowds of 6,000.
From outdoor festivals to stadiums, Norwood Productions have already deployed its upgraded audio arsenal on various high-profile events, including the King of Whip motocross event. “For King of Whip, we were delivering audio to grandstands with around 6,000 fans,” recalls Norwood. “With d&b audiotechnik’s ArrayCalc we have the tools to ensure perfect coverage, even for these challenging environments. The feedback from attendees was fantastic.”
“The audio quality provided by d&b is unmatched. It’s a game-changer for us, and we’re excited to show clients just how far we’re willing to go to ensure quality sound for every event,” adds Norwood. “Paired with the ongoing support and excellent service of the Stage Audio Works team, there’s really not much more I can ask for. I also recognise that this journey would not have been possible without the hard work of our talented team here at Norwood Productions: Gordon Henning, Bongani Gift Jiana and Kyle Thomson.”
“We are thrilled to have been a part of this journey with Norwood Productions, equipping them with the best tools to thrive in the competitive production market,” comments Gary Furman, sales professional at Stage Audio Works.
