Amongst those already signed up to the agreement are ATech, Blue Squares, C.S.E., Euroson, Even On, Novascene, Melpomen, Twin Audio Live and Z Professionel, many of whom have been long-time customers of Nexo loudspeaker products. Negotiations are still underway and the list is expected to grow.
The basic concept of the Nexstep community is to share resources when and where necessary. All members of the group have purchased inventory of the new Geo D Series loudspeakers, Nexo's third-generation tangent-array system comprising D10 high-output array modules and Geo SUB cardioid subwoofers. To complete the package, they have added Nexo's NX242 digital controllers, and racks filled with Camco Vortex 6 amplifiers. All racks are identical in terms of connection schemes, ensuring full compatibility and interchangeability.
Nexstep members will be able to combine forces, pooling their matched inventory to create larger systems for major events. The geographically widespread network also provides a high degree of convenience for tour managers, who can take advantage of identical Nexo systems located all around France to make significant cost savings in transport.
The Nexstep concept depends on its central building block, the Geo D Series. Its design and price-point make it the perfect scaleable system, says the company. In the smallest configuration endorsed by Nexo, three stage-stacked D10s can be mounted on a Geo Sub either side of a stage. In larger applications, perhaps where Geo D partners/users share inventory, concert arrays can fly with up to 24 D10s, plus 16 Geo Subs. This makes it ideal for a shared-inventory scheme, as the versatility of the equipment is appealing to large and small hire companies.
Jean Jacques Vias, Nexo's representative dedicated to the touring market in France, points out that, "every summer, there is a festival in every major town and city. When these major events occur, they make considerable demands on the resources of local PA companies; however, events of this size may not occur often enough to justify a significant investment in new technology. A system which pools resources is cost-efficient and logistically very friendly for all participants."
Nexstep has developed from an informal gathering of PA companies at a Nexo product demo, and it introduces a level of collaboration rarely seen in this industry. Nexo is confident that the Nexstep initiative can serve as a model for other countries, and will be promoting the advantages of the concept through its international distributor network.
(Chris Henry)
