New pro audio service provider 22live has entered into a rental partnership with d&b audiotechnik. The pro audio giant is the second loudspeaker brand the company has partnered with, having also inked a deal with UK-based brand Martin Audio just two weeks ago.
It’s been a busy start to the year for 22live. The company, launched in January 2023 by Paul Timmins, already completed two significant tours and an O2 Arena production prior to its official launch, and last month it was announced that former SSE veterans Spencer Beard and Alex Penn had also joined the team as managing director and commercial director respectively.
“It was always the intention of 22live to stock two loudspeaker brands,” said beard. “The company made a strong start in 2022 and has achieved a great deal in a short space of time. We are very pleased with how 22live has developed since its formation and all the decisions that have been made. Today’s announcement increases our potential and offers our current and future clientele further choice.”
22live has committed to its hire inventory d&b XSL and KSL with their proprietary subwoofers and SL-SUB’s. 22live personnel have extensive experience around the product range, having previously operated with SL-Series. The company states that the infrastructure it has already assembled is flexible and will also be deployed alongside the d&b system utilising 24 way loudspeaker multi’s and intelligent packaging solutions.
Penn added: “When deciding which additional loudspeaker brand was right for 22live, the d&b SL-Series made sense for several reasons; It fits with our target to be recognised as a quality service provider to high end touring, it’s a young product line still in the early stages of its life-cycle, and it allows us to cater to a broad range of productions alongside our existing stock.”
Timmins also commented: “The other benefit to us of investing in the d&b SL-Series is that it is still niche in comparison to other rider friendly products. In reality we see the fact that it is not quite so readily available within the rental market but already popular and widely accepted, strengthening our position. Meaning we are quoting based on our offering and service rather than just supplying the same equipment that many others have access to.”
Discussing the SL-Series, Simon Gladstone, 22live’s technical director, said: “The cardioid nature of the SL-Series also opens some doors for applications where a very direct sound field really benefits the production.”
22live’s initial XSL delivery is already in progress and much of the system is booked for its first tour loading in late February. KSL will be delivered in time for the summer, and 22live will be looking to take bookings for this as opportunities arise.
Beard concluded: “We are proud to be appointed as a d&b audiotechnik rental partner. We feel it demonstrates d&b audiotecknik’s faith in our team and our ambitions. We honour all the purchasing commitments that 22live has made so far and remain focussed on both loudspeaker brands we represent. We consider the d&b partnership to be a key one to aide our development as we push forwards ensuring that we continue to be a service led, independent company supplying quality in all that we do.”