JPJ Audio has been in business since 1970, so we know what people who work in live entertain ment really want: the best possible sound at the best possible price. JPJ delivers this, everytime, and why? Because we’re dedicated to what we do, and we’re good at it.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Anonymous Post
I had to use a jpj Meyer system the other day.. Wow! So badly setup and probably the most messy system I have ever seen. Not time aligned correctly and clearly not setup using MAPP.. Such a shame. The system is a Solotech rig if I was them I would be asking for it back and bringing out their own system guys.. Cable was a mess and for what should be a theatre install looked like it was thrown in at the last second.. Not good enough..
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Solotech (Canada) and JPJ Audio
I suspect JPJ Audio formed an alliance with Solotech on Meyersound speakers so that they (Solotech) would not come here with K1.
JPJ lost out on a few big gigs this year to Solotech touring the big shows into AUS.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Eminem sound issues
JPJ Audio P/L are the company responsible for delivering sound for the Eminem concert.
The technical specifications that the Eminen production people would have sent through to the promoter for JPJ Audio P/L to satisfy would probably have been worded with the expectation that a sound system capable of delivering high quality sound to all audience members is provided. This certainly did not happen.
The technical specifications that the Eminen production people would have sent through to the promoter for JPJ Audio P/L to satisfy would probably have been worded with the expectation that a sound system capable of delivering high quality sound to all audience members is provided. This certainly did not happen.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sadly Johnstons have gone the way of JANDS
It didn't take long for JANDS to infiltrate the fabric of Johnstons of old. There is no longer a welcoming feeling. Soon it will be bereft of any...
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Jock Bain
A recent post:
"Jock Bain was the prime loss of the merger for those who know the real story. RIP Jock." Anonymous from L.A. USA
"Jock Bain was the prime loss of the merger for those who know the real story. RIP Jock." Anonymous from L.A. USA
How will JPJ repsond to the Norwest Perth Office?
Norwest have now set up office in Perth, although it is unclear if they have bought out an existing company in Perth or not. Perth is over supplied with PA so it begs the question whether the city can sustain another supplier.
All it means is the price may come down in an expensive market which is Perth.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Johnston Audio Services is now JPJ Audio while JANDS remains the same.
When you call Johnston Audio from now on expect to hear JPJ Audio greeting.
When you call Jands Production Services you won't hear this same greeting.
Something tells me the name change is a precursor to Jands Production Services Melbourne!
When you call Jands Production Services you won't hear this same greeting.
Something tells me the name change is a precursor to Jands Production Services Melbourne!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Next to come... Bruce exits
Now that the Johnston Audio name is to be no longer used, expect to see Bruce Johnston cash out of the JPJ Audio Pty Ltd entity.
I suspect he wil have a " do not compete" clause in his contract!
I suspect he wil have a " do not compete" clause in his contract!
From the Newsletter....
Company Name
It has been agreed that from July 1st the company will trade as JPJ Audio Pty Ltd. This will include stencilling on roadcases, building signage, telephone greetings (see below). etc.
Norwest Productions
Recently, Norwest has become increasingly petty and damaging, with regards to their approach to the business, and JPJ in general. As a result, JPJ has no option but to cease all business dealings with Norwest, effective immeadiately.
Human Resources
Sarah Pearson
Sarah Pearson has resigned from her position within the Melbourne office. Sarah has been working with Bruce for many years and was a valuable employee. Sarah’s final day with the company is Thursday 23rd July. We wish Sarah all the best in her future endeavours.
Communications
Telephone Greeting.
From 1st July, please use ‘JPJ Audio’ as the company name when answering incoming calls.
It has been agreed that from July 1st the company will trade as JPJ Audio Pty Ltd. This will include stencilling on roadcases, building signage, telephone greetings (see below). etc.
Norwest Productions
Recently, Norwest has become increasingly petty and damaging, with regards to their approach to the business, and JPJ in general. As a result, JPJ has no option but to cease all business dealings with Norwest, effective immeadiately.
Human Resources
Sarah Pearson
Sarah Pearson has resigned from her position within the Melbourne office. Sarah has been working with Bruce for many years and was a valuable employee. Sarah’s final day with the company is Thursday 23rd July. We wish Sarah all the best in her future endeavours.
Telephone Greeting.
From 1st July, please use ‘JPJ Audio’ as the company name when answering incoming calls.
The latest post (by Anonymous)
As someone who has worked for JPS in recent years, I am interested by the continuing perception that Jands has some kind of attitude problem. I believe this used to be the case back in the 'good ol' days' when the the drugs were flowing as fast as the gear was being trucked around the country. However since selling off the lighting department they downsized quite substantially. The fulltime staff is a shadow of it's former self and the attitude of being the all powerful super production warehouse had to be adjusted.
They say that a company's attitude comes from the top down and anyone who has worked there can soon tell you that Eric takes no prisoners. But an attitude has to be sustained by the rest of the staff as well. After spending some time within the company, what I learnt is that in the last 10 years there's been quite a large staff turnover. The JPS 'oldschool' is more or less on it's last legs and the 'newschool' is slowly making it's mark. If you've worked on a JPS gig recently you'll probably notice that the crewing is usually made up of one or two older guys with countless decades of experience a the top, a bunch of 25-30 something contractors and some younger trainees. So out of a crew of 8, maybe 2 will have come from the 'good ol' days' while the rest will either be unaffiliated contractors or trainees who are learning on the job.
On that note, what other production hire company in Australia has such a large trainee program? Sure you can be cynical and say that they only have the program so they have a endless supply of cheap crew. But at the same time I would love to know to career success rate of those going through a JPS traineeship vs those paying a fortune to attend Mr Grafton's college or JMC. They took on 11 trainees in Sydney last year and rumour has it they will be starting a similar program at Johnstons in Melbourne. These kids aren't just learning on the job but also get proper classroom teaching from some of the best practicing engineers in the country and they're being paid to do it.
Anyway, I hope it doesn't sound like I'm too pro-JPS. I promise you I am not someone from the office trying to make excuses for the company. I'm just an outsider who's made my own observations over the years.
They say that a company's attitude comes from the top down and anyone who has worked there can soon tell you that Eric takes no prisoners. But an attitude has to be sustained by the rest of the staff as well. After spending some time within the company, what I learnt is that in the last 10 years there's been quite a large staff turnover. The JPS 'oldschool' is more or less on it's last legs and the 'newschool' is slowly making it's mark. If you've worked on a JPS gig recently you'll probably notice that the crewing is usually made up of one or two older guys with countless decades of experience a the top, a bunch of 25-30 something contractors and some younger trainees. So out of a crew of 8, maybe 2 will have come from the 'good ol' days' while the rest will either be unaffiliated contractors or trainees who are learning on the job.
On that note, what other production hire company in Australia has such a large trainee program? Sure you can be cynical and say that they only have the program so they have a endless supply of cheap crew. But at the same time I would love to know to career success rate of those going through a JPS traineeship vs those paying a fortune to attend Mr Grafton's college or JMC. They took on 11 trainees in Sydney last year and rumour has it they will be starting a similar program at Johnstons in Melbourne. These kids aren't just learning on the job but also get proper classroom teaching from some of the best practicing engineers in the country and they're being paid to do it.
Anyway, I hope it doesn't sound like I'm too pro-JPS. I promise you I am not someone from the office trying to make excuses for the company. I'm just an outsider who's made my own observations over the years.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
JANDS AND JAS MERGER....
Price fixing with competitors created a greater incentive for companies to unite and merge under one name so that they were not competitors anymore and technically not price fixing...
Monday, June 7, 2010
Merger the only answer....
How much will they gouge the market in the future remains to be seen. When there is only one big company capable of doing the festivals, arenas and stadium shows you can guarantee it will happen. If JANDS are involved it is a certainty.
Back in the 80's JANDS had a monopoly on the sound production business in Australia, created by buying other companies and forming alliances overseas. The major shareholders at the time made a killing, and it seems they are about to do the same again. Back then international acts had no choice but to use whatever JANDS had. Nowadays they bring their own sound equipment with them, despite the great expense, because they they can!!
The history of the two firms in fierce competition ultimately bought the prices down to such a ridiculous level that they are unsustainable in the long term.
There is no doubt this merger was prompted by the need to drive the price back up again at both companies. In collusion, of course, would be illegal but as a merged entity it is achievable.
Neither company can afford another summer in Australia. Especially not with the big players in the USA, UK and Europe shipping sound equipment out for the artists on their roster of acts.
The promoters will be the big losers. They benefitted from a decade of low prices on sound production, Soon they will not be able to 'peg' one off against the other to get a cheaper deal. Whether they pass the extra cost onto the consumer is anyones guess.
In most mergers about 20-25% of staff go due to layoffs, natural attrition and centralisation.
Existing crew in both organisations may find working with each other a little 'prickly'. Competition amongst the contractors will intensify, even across borders with a cross pollination of crew on gigs across Australia.
In a competitive environment the contractors will be jockeying for position and have to be willing to drop their price to get the work.
Back in the 80's JANDS had a monopoly on the sound production business in Australia, created by buying other companies and forming alliances overseas. The major shareholders at the time made a killing, and it seems they are about to do the same again. Back then international acts had no choice but to use whatever JANDS had. Nowadays they bring their own sound equipment with them, despite the great expense, because they they can!!
The history of the two firms in fierce competition ultimately bought the prices down to such a ridiculous level that they are unsustainable in the long term.
There is no doubt this merger was prompted by the need to drive the price back up again at both companies. In collusion, of course, would be illegal but as a merged entity it is achievable.
Neither company can afford another summer in Australia. Especially not with the big players in the USA, UK and Europe shipping sound equipment out for the artists on their roster of acts.
The promoters will be the big losers. They benefitted from a decade of low prices on sound production, Soon they will not be able to 'peg' one off against the other to get a cheaper deal. Whether they pass the extra cost onto the consumer is anyones guess.
In most mergers about 20-25% of staff go due to layoffs, natural attrition and centralisation.
Existing crew in both organisations may find working with each other a little 'prickly'. Competition amongst the contractors will intensify, even across borders with a cross pollination of crew on gigs across Australia.
In a competitive environment the contractors will be jockeying for position and have to be willing to drop their price to get the work.
Sadly, it will be the crew who will come off the worst in all this. Certainly more work is on the horizon but working for less money and longer hours will make the whole merger thing unattractive in the long run.
JANDS timeline: http://202.148.229.190/company/about_us/december_press/company_timeline
Other information:
http://www.colinbaldwin.com/docs/30yrs_of_Live_Production.pdf
JANDS timeline: http://202.148.229.190/company/about_us/december_press/company_timeline
Other information:
http://www.colinbaldwin.com/docs/30yrs_of_Live_Production.pdf
Sunday, June 6, 2010
CX Magazine update
Jands and JPS merge - analysis
Bruce Johnston says that the new audio firm commencing July 1st will be a new entity, with Eric Robinson and himself at the helm. It will still be known as Johnston Audio Services (JAS) in Melbourne, and Jands Production Services (JPS) in Sydney.
"Melbourne will be a J Series and VDosc base, and Sydney will feature K1 and VDosc. Our 100 VDosc boxes will end up at the JPS standard."
The new live audio colossus will have compatible V-Dosc systems, JBL Vertec, d+b audiotechnik J Series, and Kudo line arrays, and a considerable number of Avid Venue/Profile consoles. JPS own the first Midas XL-8 digital platform in Australia; and the two audio firms have considerable other high end inventory.
"I spent ten years touring with Oasis, and only finished last year. I know the scene - I saw the mergers in the UK where there is too much audio. Australia is about right - if AC/DC hadn't brought their own PA then we would have run out of audio here last summer."
"John Penn from SSE Audio Group (UK) helped me make this decision. It came down to Jim Straw (JPS General Manager), he made a big call after PLASA. He brought this to Eric (Robinson, JPS CEO). It all comes down to due diligence now, and that is about number of shares to each party. I didn't want my crew seeing it (due diligence) which is why we've announced it now."
Johnston is excited about the deal. "I wanted to go to the next level", he says. "Now we are sitting down and talking about summer and will make decisions about what to buy - and we can buy equipment, we don't have investment bankers to appease".
JPS also have a decades old relationship with Clair Brothers, the world's largest audio provider from the US. It sees Clair clients serviced by JPS, who usually house a Clair i5 line array in the region during the southern summer.
After a decade long price war, the two sides coming together is a logical move.
Concert Promoters will pay more for live audio, after a long season of intense competition.
Over at Norwest Productions, Chairman Chris Kennedy is relaxed. "I assert we are the best live audio firm, and can forego the mantle as 'biggest'. But we probably still are the biggest!"
In the regions, the next layer of audio firms are watching closely. IJS based in Brisbane and with a warehouse in Sydney probably assume third place in size, then there is a wide field of similar sized operations.
The sleeping giant in all of this is Canada's Solotech who are accumulating major international touring acts at a dizzy pace. They have shipped Meyer systems into Australia for a variety of top line artists in recent times, and will do so across the next summer. They are rumoured to be opening a branch somewhere local, sometime.
Bruce Johnston says that the new audio firm commencing July 1st will be a new entity, with Eric Robinson and himself at the helm. It will still be known as Johnston Audio Services (JAS) in Melbourne, and Jands Production Services (JPS) in Sydney.
"Melbourne will be a J Series and VDosc base, and Sydney will feature K1 and VDosc. Our 100 VDosc boxes will end up at the JPS standard."
The new live audio colossus will have compatible V-Dosc systems, JBL Vertec, d+b audiotechnik J Series, and Kudo line arrays, and a considerable number of Avid Venue/Profile consoles. JPS own the first Midas XL-8 digital platform in Australia; and the two audio firms have considerable other high end inventory.
"I spent ten years touring with Oasis, and only finished last year. I know the scene - I saw the mergers in the UK where there is too much audio. Australia is about right - if AC/DC hadn't brought their own PA then we would have run out of audio here last summer."
"John Penn from SSE Audio Group (UK) helped me make this decision. It came down to Jim Straw (JPS General Manager), he made a big call after PLASA. He brought this to Eric (Robinson, JPS CEO). It all comes down to due diligence now, and that is about number of shares to each party. I didn't want my crew seeing it (due diligence) which is why we've announced it now."
Johnston is excited about the deal. "I wanted to go to the next level", he says. "Now we are sitting down and talking about summer and will make decisions about what to buy - and we can buy equipment, we don't have investment bankers to appease".
JPS also have a decades old relationship with Clair Brothers, the world's largest audio provider from the US. It sees Clair clients serviced by JPS, who usually house a Clair i5 line array in the region during the southern summer.
After a decade long price war, the two sides coming together is a logical move.
Concert Promoters will pay more for live audio, after a long season of intense competition.
Over at Norwest Productions, Chairman Chris Kennedy is relaxed. "I assert we are the best live audio firm, and can forego the mantle as 'biggest'. But we probably still are the biggest!"
In the regions, the next layer of audio firms are watching closely. IJS based in Brisbane and with a warehouse in Sydney probably assume third place in size, then there is a wide field of similar sized operations.
The sleeping giant in all of this is Canada's Solotech who are accumulating major international touring acts at a dizzy pace. They have shipped Meyer systems into Australia for a variety of top line artists in recent times, and will do so across the next summer. They are rumoured to be opening a branch somewhere local, sometime.
JAS / JANDS Merger CX Magazine News
JANDS, JAS MERGE
It was a long time coming. Sydney based Jands Production Services have for some time been engaged in a price war with Melbourne live audio firm Johnston Audio Services. Sitting on one side of the war was the largest live audio in Australia - Norwest Productions.
Now there are two equally potent players, with Jands and JAS having announced a merger, effective July 1 'following due dilligence'.
JAS and Norwest had talked along the same lines. JAS were keen to reposition, feeling a little left out and facing a long squeeze on margins with Jands and Norwest matching or beating prices.
Concert promoters will now pay for more live audio - new industrial awards take effect in July, and the merger mean that a decade long freeze on hiring rates will evaporate.
The new entity - JandJ, JJands, or JJAS - will probably be called Jands. It will operate in a similar manner to the way it is now - Jands in Sydney; JAS in Melbourne. But it will coral together a singificant inventory, and snatch the title of 'Australia's Largest' away from Norwest.
Norwest itself is a conglomeration of audio firms, with Norwest Productions growing out of Sydney and buying Oceania Audio (NZ) and McLean Audio (Melb). Norwest also runs offices in Brisbane and China.
The new dynamic will probably work well for all players - Norwest tend to do more corporate and major event work, while Jands and JAS have focussed on concerts and festivals. Norwest and Jands do compete, but Norwest of late has been offering realistic pricing to extract a return to its many staff investors and its primary backers.
Winners: Pro Audio community.
Losers: Concert Promoters.
It was a long time coming. Sydney based Jands Production Services have for some time been engaged in a price war with Melbourne live audio firm Johnston Audio Services. Sitting on one side of the war was the largest live audio in Australia - Norwest Productions.
Now there are two equally potent players, with Jands and JAS having announced a merger, effective July 1 'following due dilligence'.
JAS and Norwest had talked along the same lines. JAS were keen to reposition, feeling a little left out and facing a long squeeze on margins with Jands and Norwest matching or beating prices.
Concert promoters will now pay for more live audio - new industrial awards take effect in July, and the merger mean that a decade long freeze on hiring rates will evaporate.
The new entity - JandJ, JJands, or JJAS - will probably be called Jands. It will operate in a similar manner to the way it is now - Jands in Sydney; JAS in Melbourne. But it will coral together a singificant inventory, and snatch the title of 'Australia's Largest' away from Norwest.
Norwest itself is a conglomeration of audio firms, with Norwest Productions growing out of Sydney and buying Oceania Audio (NZ) and McLean Audio (Melb). Norwest also runs offices in Brisbane and China.
The new dynamic will probably work well for all players - Norwest tend to do more corporate and major event work, while Jands and JAS have focussed on concerts and festivals. Norwest and Jands do compete, but Norwest of late has been offering realistic pricing to extract a return to its many staff investors and its primary backers.
Winners: Pro Audio community.
Losers: Concert Promoters.
Make a comment on the Jands and Johnston merger
Australasia’s leading touring audio suppliers; Jands Production Services Pty Limited (JPS) and Johnston Audio Services (JAS) have entered into a head of agreement to merge the two companies. The heads of agreement is subject to undertaking of due diligence which is expected to be completed by the end of June.
Both companies have long histories in the touring sound market and over the past four decades have supplied production services to nearly every major tour and music event in Australia and New Zealand.
Eric Robinson, CEO of JPS, commented, “In our discussions it has become clear that we’re both facing the same challenges on large tours and music events. Our clients are looking to us for increased efficiencies and jointly we’ll be able to respond in a way that reduces costs, expands our equipment offering, and solves logistical problems. Potentially it brings major benefits to promoters and touring artists”.
The companies will continue to operate from their existing premises in Sydney and Melbourne and both expect to benefit by having access to a larger pool of equipment and expertise. The merged group expects to use the synergies of working together to deliver outstanding service for their clients.
Commenting on the move JAS managing director Bruce Johnston stated, “I am excited about the new equipment and services we’ll be able to bring to our customers. The combination of JAS and JPS will create one of the best audio companies in the world, providing real benefits to Australian and international artists".
The merger of the two companies will increase the level of support and service available to JPS and JAS clients and reinforces the group’s ongoing commitment to meeting the challenges of the modern touring market. Together the companies intend to remain at the forefront of technology, clearly demonstrated by the recent introduction of new speaker systems and significant investment in control and amplification packages.
Jands Production Services was founded in 1970 and operates in the theatre, corporate and touring audio markets.
Johnston Audio Services commenced operation in 1985 and provides audio for tours festival and fixed installations.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)