If you were lucky enough to be invited to this year’s NAMM Samson party held in the Marriott’s Platinum Room, you were treated to the sounds of some of the very best musicians of our time. It’s no wonder that names like Peter Erskine, Victor Wooten, Alex Acuna, Billy Sheehan, Stu Hamm, Steve Vai and the Legendary Jack Bruce would pack a venue to the hilt with not only eager, but extremely respectful listeners. This coupled with the reality that these attendees were among the most musically perceptive and educated in the world, would certainly mandate a great sound system and an even better mix.

Simon Productions, a Los Angeles based, sound reinforcement Production Company was chosen to fulfill the audio production needs for this once in a lifetime event. Simon’s owner Terry Stewart is a long time SLS Audio user and has for several years been mixing many other industry notables on his 22 box SLS LS8800 Line Array rig. “This was the usual multi-band day filled with changes on the fly, many sound checks, production meetings etc…and in the midst of all that, there was a drop-dead show time starring at everyone on the production team. Having the SLS system not only helped us meet our show time with no hitches, but we were up and running with the entire rig tuned, one hour before the first sound check. The production manager was blown away. The entire evening was a success and we received many gracious complements from attendees in the audience to actual band members from the stage,” said Stewart. 

Regarding his original purchase of the LS8800 Rig, Mr. Stewart had this to say about his decision to go with SLS Audio, “One of the things that I am guilty of, is that I purchase with my ears and I know in this business that can be a mistake, but the rig must sound better than it looks, packs, and rides, if it meets that important element, the money will follow. We chose SLS Audio loudspeakers for several reasons, the first being audio quality. The LS8800 element is literally the finest sounding element on the market in its class and as a bonus it packs beautifully, rigs with little effort. Also, the fact that it is not made of pure un-obtainium is very important for a mid-sized, regional sound company. Oh yeah, as a side note, this system has never been turned down by a rider request.”

 Simon further stated that his decision to become involved with SLS Audio products was one of calculated expansion, “One of the big challenges was choosing the right speaker system that fit the criteria of the current work load, but could also do all other future expansions which would include a wide variety of musical styles. We, more than anyone, have been 100% happy with our decision to use SLS Audio’s speakers.”

“We were lucky enough to get passes to the show,” said Jeff Lowry director of Sales and Marketing for SLS. “We were all very busy with our booth and two other stages we had going at the NAMM Courtyard and upstairs at the Taylor Guitar stage. Both of these events we’ve been doing with Mike Bell and Bell Event Services of Escondido CA now for several years in a row. This Samson concert was not any kind of co-branded event; it just popped up as a Simon Production. Just when we thought it was great having names like, The Bare Naked Ladies, Coheed & Cambria and Night Ranger playing through our stuff up at Taylor, we find out we’re going to get to hear Bruce, Vai and Erskine  through some 8800’s. Bonus!”

SLS has already agreed to continue both the courtyard and Taylor Guitar sound stages for next year’s NAMM Show and can’t help wondering what will pop up at the 2012 NAMM Show.
 

Simon Productions
7701 Quakertown Avenue
Winnetka, CA 91306
818 993 8115
terry@simonpro.com