NSCA Expo Day One: Altec coming back, Bose making a move, and KC loses a bet By Keith Clark Editorial Director ProSoundWeb

Welcome to the kickoff of our live coverage from NSCA Expo 2002 in Denver. With this “Day One” report - actually filed the day prior to the show’s opening on Thursday - we’ll be filling you in about the resurrection of Altec Lansing, new developments and interesting commentary from Bose, the Contractor Caper and more. After arriving at our hotel and helping train the newest staff member on the procedure for checking in a guest (just a 20-minute process…), we departed for the convention center.

The scene was the usual last-minute mess that somehow congeals overnight into the professional presentation seen at your typical trade show. For those of you who haven’t experienced this miraculous transformation, take a look at the photo below, taken just 15 hours or so before the show doors open.

Pre-show floor - it’s a mess that cleans up quick with motivated exhibitors.

The Bose professional division invited us to stop by to take in a special presentation; particularly in light of recent rumblings of changes there, we were happy to oblige. Tony Price, director of North American sales, kicked off the proceedings by stressing that the company is committed to the professional customer and marketplace, adding “we’ve discontinued disruptive business practices.”

Bose will now be supplying polar data, EASE data, technical papers and other useful and often vital documentation on its products. We were handed a CD-ROM (paper versions also available) containing some of this information on our way out the door. A positive move forward, as was a presentation of the new Panaray MA12 modular line array by Tom Tyson, chief field engineer.

Dual Panaray MA12’s stacked vertically (with MB4 bass module beneath).

Tom Tyson explaining line array concepts.

The MA12 includes the Bose 2.25-in drivers found in their “cube” line – 12 total, arranged in a vertical line. “If there’s anything we do well, it’s these drivers,” Tom wryly noted. He went on to provide a very practical explanation of the vertical line array concept and why it works. Good Powerpoint and graphics, making it pretty easy for even a layman to grasp the basic concept and physics behond “squeezing” energy/output in the vertical realm via the stacking of multiple drivers.

The MA12, in "two high" configuration shown above, was used for all
presenters and did indeed do a credible job of covering the entire room,
front to back and side to side, with natural vocal intelligibility. Just
what you want from a device of this type. Special DSP is not required - the
design relies upon tried and true physics (the right drivers spaced
correctly in the right cabinet) to attain its performance.

Melissa Goehl with one of the new FreeSpace ceiling loudspeakers.

Meanwhile, Melissa Goehl talked about new FreeSpace ceiling loudspeakers, with another demo where several fFreeSpace Model 16 units were actually installed in the room's ceiling ahead of time. They, too, performed at a level expected in the professional market, with a warm yet clear signature and even, solid distribution. Loads of options are available. Space doesn't allow us to cover all that Bose "showed and told," so check out their WebExpo booth for more details.

Moving on, we arrived just as the doors opened at the Contractor Caper, and decided to take an informal survey to gauge the current business climate. A bit surprisingly, everyone we talked to – a cross section of contractors, consultants and sales reps and manufacturers – expressed optimism. One rep even told me he had “the best month in three years.” (More on biz topics in following reports.)

NSCA Executive Director Chuck Wilson came by the table to chat for a few minutes. While pre-registration figures for Expo were down a bit, he added that close to 1,000 walk-up registrants had signed up today. He expects attendance to be about even with last year, although further walk-up traffic could push that figure higher.

PSW’s Julie Clark and Ken Berger and best bud Chuck Wilson.

The legendary Mr. Neve (left) and the soon-to-be-legendary Mr. Lunde.

We also had the pleasure of discussing the “pleasure” of child-rearing with Rupert Neve and Brad Lundy of Transamerica Audio Group Brad’s already committed to “hermetically sealing” his daughters to prevent them from the dangers presented by Spring Break. Perhaps some of us watch a bit too much MTV… present company included.

A concert featuring Edwin McCain followed the concert, and the system featured KF760 line arrays from EAW and a Yamaha PM1D digital console.

Indy 500 sound guru John Royer talking phase cancellation with Buffalo Bill Cody at the Caper.

The pre-show set with EAW line arrays and a Yamaha PM1D at FOH.

Next, it was on to the Hyatt Grand Ballroom to take in the official announcement of the “resurrection” of Altec Lansing in the professional marketplace. Click here for the official announcement and further details.

The long/short of the deal is that Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc. (ALTI) the company which designs and produces computer speaker systems under the Altec name, decided to form Altec Lansing Professional, headed up by Davis (Dave) Merrey. (Those with shred of memory will remember that Dave headed up the company from 1985-1995.)

ALTI acquired the rights to the Altec name in the professional market, has put a team in place, and will re-enter the market with a line of ceiling loudspeakers expected to be available in May, with more loudspeaker products to follow on a regular basis. The operation will be based in Oklahoma City, with production at ALTI’s facility in the People’s Republic of China.

“This time it’s different,” Merrey told the audience. “After two decades of being owned by competitors, Altec Lansing is now owned by a supportive, vibrant company.” He added that Altec will be stressing a relationship-based approach.

John Sexton, Altec VP of sales & marketing, also addressed the assembled masses.

Dave Merrey: “This time it’s different.”

Mark Lucas, president and CEO of parent company ALTI, offered his take as well, noting that there will be the needed investment to revitalize the brand in the professional market. He adds that the manufacturing plant in China – which is ISO certified - presents an advantage, allowing Altec to “produce products to professional standards, when and how the company wants it.”

And, he also noted that ALTI is likely not through expanding – an effort to re-enter the home stereo/theater market will be kicked off soon.

One other thing… there comes a time to pay up. My friend Stan Kashine of S&VC magazine and I have an annual bet – who’s pro hockey team is the worst? It’s a contest we came up with 3-4 years ago at the Contractor Caper.

The big winner celebrates the spoils of victory

Stan’s NY Rangers finished with a lesser won-loss record than my Chicago Blackhawks, who somehow actually made the NHL playoffs this year. So I had to fork over a whole dollar to Stan, shown above gloating in victory. Yep – the winner is the guy with the worst team, and yep, we’re kind of sick. Goes with supporting losing teams year after year… More tomorrow.