Soundtracs property rights to DiGiCo; Digital console in development
Vets David Webster& Bob Doyle sign on

David Webster

In the culmination of a busy month, Dave Webster and Bob Doyle, well known throughout the pro audio industry for their long and highly successful work with Klark Teknik and Midas (respectively) have joined DiGiCo (UK) Ltd, a new British company formed from the acquisition of Soundtracs plc. The story began on May 10, with a joint announcement that the assets, core business and intellectual property rights of UK audio manufacturer Soundtracs plc had transferred to DiGiCo (UK) Ltd in an acquisition deal worth a rumored £1.6m.

(Click here to view a pdf version of the official announcement on this deal.)

Days later, stories circulated that both Webster and Doyle had left their positions at the Kiddiminster-based company, news which was officially released by the newly-appointed president of Telex/EVI’s pro audio group, Mathias von Heydekampf, on May 24.

At that time, no firm news of the Midas pairs’ future was known. However, by early June, DiGiCo announced the arrival of David Webster as marketing director for the company.

Bob Doyle

The announcement of the appointment of Bob Doyle as managing director is expected during this month, at which time, plans for the development of a digital console for the live sector will also be unveiled, with a pre-production version due for soft-launch at the September PLASA show in London. Commenting on their departure from the Klark Teknik Group, von Heydekampf said that the pair would be missed, although they had left a strong and thriving business behind them.

The news followed his May 1 appointment as president of the Telex Pro Audio Group - Worldwide. Currently based in Straubing, Germany, von Heydekampf will retain his current responsibilities for sales and management of the European and international operations and will continue to report to Ned Jackson, the USA-based CEO of Telex Communications.

“Webby and Doyler certainly had a very charismatic approach to business, and long, successful careers within the Klark Teknik Group and Telex corporation,‚” he added. “Although we are sorry to see them go, we are pleased to report a fantastic first quarter which represents over 30 percent growth on the same period last year, with the trend set to continue.

“That said, we are nonetheless saddened by the departure of Bob and Dave after so many years, and it goes without saying that we wish them both all the very best for the future in their new endeavor.”

That charismatic approach is now to be used at DiGiCo, whose US co-founders Eric Wade and David Keener are now owners of all the assets related to the Soundtracs business, including the Soundtracs name.

Todd Wells, managing director and chairman of Soundtracs plc, along with managing accountant Liam Tibbs, will have no involvement in DiGiCo or the Soundtracs core business purchased by the new firm. Both gentlemen will now administer the new Soundtracs plc cash shell, which as required in the purchase, will change its legal and trading name.

“The Soundtracs business had effectively halved in two and a half years, so the decision to sell was fairly straightforward, for, as a Plc we have to be seen to deliver shareholder value,” explained Mr Wells. “Now we will be looking to new ventures - away from the audio business - and will soon be changing our name to Mark Kingsley plc following an EGM. However, DiGiCo co-founder David Keener, who is also a partner of Ausfan Ventures LLC, a US firm specializing in acquiring and developing small cap companies on both sides of the Atlantic, feels that the company has a lot to offer.

“Over the past eight years the company has developed what is truly one of, if not the best, digital mixing console platforms available in the market place today. DiGiCo is committed to making itself a true industry leader by continuing to have the best digital technology combined with agility and pro activity centred on clients needs in these evolutionary times between the transition from analog to digital.”

Indeed, for Doyle and Webster, it is. DiGiCo’s commitment of the Soundtracs digital platform that looks to be a major draw. The company has recently launched the DS-3B console into the live broadcast market, and Rod Stewart’s FOH engineer, Lars Brogaard, is currently beta testing a new Soundtracs digital board on the road.

“It‚s a very exciting time,” said Webster. “The Soundtracs name will continue to concentrate on the broadcast and post production centre, whilst we intend to enter the live industry under the DiGiCo name, with an official launch in September. Until then, we are in a phase of intense development and consolidation of our manufacturing and sales structures.

“I’m very much looking forward to my involvement with the marketing of mixing consoles in the digital domain, and will be focusing on raising the perception and visibility of our products in the eyes of the pro audio industry.”

DiGiCo has also announced that James Gordon has been promoted to director of international sales for Soundtracs products. Gordon has been with the company for six years and is said to have been instrumental in developing both the company name and technology during that time.