Already renowned as a prominent acoustician, Eric Grandmougin joins Active Audio as Marketing & Technical Support Manager. We had the chance to meet him recently with CEO Regis Cazin. Complete extensive interview here. Quite an active duet indeed!
SLU : How was defined this new position in Active Audio, and consequently in APG?
Régis Cazin (PDG Active Audio & APG) : From the simple statement that it was difficult to talk to some of our customers or prospects who think only to already existing models on the market. We needed a kind of translator who could specify technically valid solutions with our own series, and also be able to feel the market needs and tendencies to guide our evolution and R&D for both brands.
Eric’s arrival can also be considered as the symbol of APG and Active Audio renewal. 2018 was marked by the end of the backup for APG and by a 26% increase of our global turnover. Eric comes in at the very moment when we do hold the necessary assets to speed up our growth even more. He will help us create orignal products standing out of the competition, while still demanded by specifiers.
SLU : Will the positioning of your group change?
Régis Cazin : No. We’ll still be placed between basic and cheap Chinese products, and very big and ever growing competitors, especially in their trend to always keep developing new products. Our goal is essentially the propose the “different” product to fit niche markets.
We know how to cope with big tours, but we may not have the matching commercial network. For Active Audio it is the same against major US players. Our products should not be necessarily be cheaper, but certainly better and more adequate for precise applications and needs.
SLU : Does this mean more network connected active loudspeakers?
Régis Cazin : (smiling) Perhaps. We already have the Ray-On models in active version with Dante. Same for the StepArray.
SLU : Where does the Active Audio name come from?
Régis Cazin : Not only from active speakers, but from the way how to modify the sound of a room in a different way than just with dampening or diffracting materials or other passive solutions. This means using active electro-acoustic devices.
Active Audio founder was always at the forefront with Carmen, an alternative to the Meyer Sound Constellation system, but the market didn’t really catch up. We working at the moment on products inspired by this patent, to make them more… day-to-day usable. I’m moving forward a bit in history here, but I think next year we’ll issue a truly revolutionary product.
SLU : (hailstorm of questions with a slight amount of assumptions)
Régis Cazin : I cannot say more. Our idea is to make people’s life simpler for whose who use microphones and loudspeakers in a room, so that the product becomes obvious. This requests some techniques connected to active acoustics concepts. We’re aiming to be ready for ISE 2020.
SLU : And for APG, is the future up and running as well?
Régis Cazin : Yes, even if our customers don’t have the culture for active products and huge power yet, there’s no spotted demand from them. Manufacturing active speakers is not a big deal by itself.
We have all the bits and pieces to make them, but achieving this in a price tag which is acceptable to the market is another more complicated story. In our mind, an active system must be intelligent, a bit like some Martin Audio products, otherwise it’s not worth it.
SLU : New products coming up anyway? For Touring, Installation, both?
Régis Cazin : Actually, both. In 2019 we’ll launch a complete range of speakers dedicated to installation. We’ll start by showing them to some customers to get comments and approval. It will include the very last generation of transducers and a very elaborate finish. (SLU comments: we did have the occasion to touch and see a 8″ sample for a few seconds, nicely finished and with a much better look and feel than the actual range).
We’ll also update the Touring range because this part of the market is still of great interest to us, even though we’re targeting it rather to small- to mid-size venue or events. A 100,000 stadium is not for us (laughs). The Uniline range, for instance, is still successful and selling very well, but its aspect is a bit getting old.
SLU : Are you looking for new transducers as well, which will make the new models not compatible with the old ones?
Régis Cazin : Let’s unveil everything, but I can say we’ll keep the compatibility to a maximum.
SLU : What will you show at next Prolight + Sound Frankfurt?
Régis Cazin : We’re not exhibiting this year, neither did we last year anyway. We’ve studied the ins and outs of not being at PL+S 2018, and we were very surprised by the lack of negative reactions. A lot of people, though, said they got bored at PL+S Frankfurt, so this year we’ll be rather focussing on development and direct demoes to all kind of customers and prospects. We’ll go to PL+S Guangzhou and PL+S Dubai, as these are the places where you see all the major audio brands and a lot of Touring people.
SLU : Eric, where will you be based?
Eric Grandmougin : I’m based in Nantes (West of france, direct fast train to Paris in less than 2 hours), I will travel around a lot, it’s important to be in contact with the users and the market to understand their needs and propose the best ever solutions, existing ones or future ones.
Régis Cazin : He even invested in a boat! (laughs)
More information on the Active Audio Website and on the APG Audio Website.
