Studiomaster and Carlsbro exhibited together with their national distributor Highsun Audio, showing new products, including first sight of the new Carlsbro VAC series valve guitar combo and an electronic drum kit, as well as newly revamped and uprated Stingray, Sherwood and Colt amplifier series.
International sales director Andrew Bishop stated, "Carlsbro VAC is the first series in a range of amplification which meets requirements, advised to us by our international distributors, for affordable, high performance backline amps. The styling, specification and tone of these amps got a big thumbs up from our distributors at the show. The VAC Series will be officially launched at NAMM and will come in at a price point that will ensure rapid sales."
Also shown for the first time, ahead of an official launch at NAMM next year, was the Studiomaster XPX Series ultra-portable moulded PA cabinet. Active and passive models feature high sound quality, with neodymium drivers, with class D amplification providing 750 watts RMS in the active model.
Studiomaster and Carlsbro also sponsored the outdoor performance stage, providing a sound reinforcement system comprising a Studiomaster line array and MCX24 mixing console. Artists performing on the stage included UK band Texas Radio, flown in from the UK by Carlsbro and Studiomaster to provide on-stand product demonstrations and entertainment.
Commenting on the success of the show, Bishop added, "Music China was bigger, better and very well organised, thanks largely to Wolfgang Luecke and his Musikmesse team. During the show we signed up 11 new distributors and wrote a significant amount of business. It was good to see the UK well represented with main distributors and retailers present for all three days."
Immediately following the show the two companies invited 20 distributors - from the UK, Norway, Finland, Russia, Hungary, South Africa, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria and Mongolia - to a two day conference at parent company Soundking Group's Ningbo headquarters and manufacturing facility; an event personally hosted by Soundking Group President Mr Wang. During the visit, the guest party attended a gala dinner and was treated to live entertainment in Sounking's on-site theatre, including a performance by Texas Radio.
The conference provided an opportunity for individual Studiomaster and Carsbro distributors to become distributors of both brands, as a result of which several announcements to that effect will be made in the coming weeks. This initiative is concurrent with plans to rationalise the brands, that will see all PA product lines marketed under the Studiomaster marque, while Carlsbro will focus on the expansion of its product range and market share of the musical instrument electronics market. It will provide distributors and dealers with comprehensive product ranges across the pro-audio and MI sectors, and enable improved retail penetration for both brands.
(Jim Evans)
