No stranger to NAMM, Audient comes to this year's show having picked up its third TEC-Award nomination, this time for the eight-channel mic pre, ASP880. Another recipient of much acclaim is the feature-packed USB AD/DA interface and monitoring system, iD22 which visitors to the show should be able to get a look at.
It all started with the large format ASP8024 analogue console designed by David Dearden, who himself lays claim to a sound electronics design experience second to none. He's spent over 40 years working with consoles, headed up DDA, co-founded Audient, and also had the incredible experience of helping build the custom console used for John Lennon's 'Imagine' album.
"Every Audient product with a mic pre - including the latest releases, ASP880 and iD22 - incorporates the original Dearden-designed console preamps," explains chief technical officer, Tom Waterman taking pride in driving Audient's engineering in new directions, whilst staying true to the company's heritage. "Indeed Audient is the only company whose renowned mic pre design features throughout the whole range. It is testament to the design of the flagship analogue console, ASP8024 that it is still manufactured today and that there are more than 1,000 in daily use worldwide."
ASP8024 is a top choice for schools as well as studios across the United States. Renowned creative institute Full Sail University packs a staggering 12 desks into a single teaching space; NYU Steinhardt and University of Central Oklahoma both possess one and Women's Audio Mission has just taken delivery of its first 48 channel Audient.
Industry heavyweight Simon Blackwood is at now at Audient's helm and has a proven track record for pro audio business development - past successes including Focusrite, Novation and founding Spirit.
A year after taking the reins he is very pleased with the brand's progress, stating: "There was significant growth in our business in 2014 and our focus for 2015 is the US market." Most recently he has utilised his close connections with industry manufacturing to help source new technology and better component pricing, which has led to the significant reduction in the price of iD22.
Simon promises to propel Audient forward into the new year. "We have plenty of scope for further development over the next 12 months, and great energy from our team based in southern England. Setting up new distribution agreements in the States and across the globe is just the start of it."
To bring this new direction to the USA, Audient has signed on a new distribution partner in Momentum Audio Sales. Founded by audio industry veteran John Devins on his experience in leading sales efforts for Steinberg, Cerwin-Vega, Focusrite/Novation, AKG, and JBL.
(Jim Evans)
