Equaphon, the Powersoft distributor in Argentina and Uruguay, exhibited in the 2017 edition of the trade show in Argentina and presented the latest technologies from the Italian manufacturer. Equaphon recently exhibited at CAPER Show, a trade show dedicated to broadcast, cable, cinema, lighting and audio technologies (Buenos Aires).
And showcased new products from the brands it represents in Argentina and Uruguay, including Powersoft. The company decided to divide the booth in three areas: live sound, installation, and recording & broadcast… with several news for each market.
In the live sound area, Equaphon presented different Powersoft amplifiers from the successful M, K and X Series. Using X4 and X8 models, Powersoft’s Systems Engineering Manager Luca Gianni, carried out exclusive demos on system alignment using the latest version (2.10) of Powersoft’s Armonía Pro Audio Suite software in conjunction with Smaart v8. Over the three days of the show, attendees were stunned by the possibilities offered by the new software version from the Italian brand.
In the installation sector, the company presented the Duecanali, Quattrocanali and Ottocanali range of amplifiers, with and without DSP. Equaphon also announced the arrival of the STS mikraSub12 system - Equaphon’s proprietary brand – which will complete the mikra sound column systems line of products. Also new were the STS Onix6 and STS Onix8 ceiling loudspeakers.
Powersoft’s Deva also drew a lot of attention on the booth. As a revolutionary infotainment, entertainment and surveillance ‘all in one’ multimedia system, Deva is also waterproof and solar powered. It can be used in a wide range of applications — from background music to paging, as well as enabling real-time messaging and communications with HD video and audio surveillance.
Karl Kahlau, Deva’s executive director at Powersoft, was at the show to demonstrate the capabilities of the system. “It was really valuable to have Karl on the booth. There are so many possible applications for Deva that it is perfect for countless projects. When people found out what the device was about they automatically though of many specific applications according to their own particular needs and having Karl to confirm if each one was in fact possible was wonderful”, said Carlos Maiocchi, Equaphon’s general manager.
Powersoft’s Fabrizio Bolzoni, sales account manager for Rack Amplifiers, CALA sales manager Gilberto Morejón and Luca Gianni, systems engineering manager, were also on hand to explain and help visitors to learn and understand the use of the Armonía software.
Systems under test
For the second year in a row, Equaphon participated in a live outdoor demo of various audio systems during the trade show so attendees could see and hear them in action. The company showed two systems this year: An active and a passive one, from its own STS Touring Series brand, using Powersoft amplification.
In the case of the active one there were two STS Msubs – which benefit from Powersoft’s M-Force technology - with 6 x STS Linea SLA V7+, and for the passive configuration there were two STS Concerto Infrasubs with 4 x STS Linea V5s, all powered using only one Powersoft X4, with the possibility of having a cardioid setup with the subs.
Both systems were controlled via the Armonía software, so the company installed a big screen where visitors could see how the systems were controlled by the same software and how they were aligned at the same time. “This was really welcomed by participants because it clearly showed how to integrate passive and active systems, something that only a few companies can offer”, he added.
The powerful Msub
At CAPER last year, Equaphon launched the Msub, a high performance self-powered subwoofer based on a Powersoft M-Force (1 x 30”) engine, created to obtain a high sound pressure in the lowest frequency range with a 23 Hz to 90 Hz - 10 dB frequency response.
A year on, Carlos shares the results this innovative product had in the market: “We got several good comments from our sales force and the Msub has been praised among audio professionals, both in Argentina and Uruguay and also in Chile and Bolivia where the company CyV Music represents the STS brand”.
“We already have a sound company in the North of Argentina that has four Msubs, working as a fifth way for a STS Concerto Infrasub and SLA V7+ system. They are really happy with how this technology works”.
Equaphon has also recently done a test for a sound company located in Buenos Aires, complementing a d&b audiotechnik’s J system with seven Msubs in cardioid configuration. “The result was excellent! Both the company’s technicians and the artist’s engineers were delighted. The company is already pre-negotiating the purchase of eight Msubs. There is also a Msub in Bolivia which our distributor, CyV Music, is using to do demos for its clients», he detailed.
Activities in Argentina and Uruguay
Speaking of the local market, Carlos highlighted the significant increase in the sale of Powersoft amplifiers in Argentina. “We know we will have even more sales by the end of the year, since this is the strongest period for live sound. On the installation side, we already quoted the Ottocanali and Quattrocanali in many projects, while these deals typically take more time to close”, he said.
Regarding Uruguay, although this is a smaller market, there are already several sound companies using Powersoft. “We have also quoted some projects here using the installation line. We have recently done the sale of a STS Concerto Infrasub+ system that makes use of a 3400 W plus DSP4 Powersoft module, which allows it to work with the Armonía software”, he concluded.
