South Africa’s Norwood Productions recently strengthened its equipment inventory with the acquisition of a d&b audiotechnik V-Series PA system from distributor Stage Audio Works. With this investment, the company aims to extend the scope of its involvement in the live events sector, by being to serve larger audiences and meet the standards of international touring artists.
Equipped with a full V-Series portfolio, Norwood Productions can now serve audiences from 80-people up to crowds of 6,000. Behind the investment is an inspirational journey and a story of growth and adaptability, backed by the company’s 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,’ recalls founder and Director, Chris Norwood. ‘Back then, I was catering largely for corporate events. 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’s first Blackmagic equipment was purchased via Stage Audio Works to open 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,’ Norwood explains. ‘My background as an FOH engineer and love of the rock scene was another reason I’ve always wanted to push Norwood Productions in this direction.’
While Norwood and his team have since built a reputation in the corporate events market, working with leading brands and companies, the recent purchase of the d&b V-Series system has put given the comapny an advantage with 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. ‘We’re committed to delivering a perfect audio experience for every client, and in my opinion as a FOH engineer, d&b audiotechnik is the best PA system on the market,’ Norwood says. ‘With the expertise and support of the Stage Audio Works team, we made this major investment and it has been instrumental in our expansion into the live events world.’
Through investing in d&b’s V-Series, Norwood Productions has positioned itself 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 it to serve the growing number of live events alongside an 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 per cent but the sound quality still remains perfect – this is a key benefit for our business and is unique to d&b products.’
Norwood Productions has already deployed its upgraded audio arsenal on a number high-profile events, including the King of Whip motocross. ‘For King of Whip, we were delivering audio to grandstands with around 6,000 fans,’ Norwood says. ‘With d&b audiotechnik’s ArrayCalc we have the tools to ensure perfect coverage, even for these sometimes challenging environments. The feedback from attendees was fantastic.’
The future promises further growth in the live events sector.
‘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,’ Norwood says. ‘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. I’m thankful to them for their dedication in building the businesses towards our shared vision.’
‘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,’ adds Gary Furman, Sales Professional at Stage Audio Works. ‘Their passion for quality and commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with d&b’s mission to deliver world-class sound, and we look forward to seeing where this investment takes them.’
