With still so few women in the pro-audio industry, it can be hard to connect with each other. In October 2017, some of them from Europe and North America took the opportunity to join the first System Reality Workshop of soundgirls.org and d&b audiotechnik. This two-day workshop has been designed for SoundGirls only, but – to be honest – two SoundGuys joined as well. “We were pleasantly surprised about the whole workshop”, said the feedback of the attendees. “And it’s a safe place for asking questions”.
Participants from the Benelux, Canada, Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom came to the headquarters of d&b audiotechnik in Backnang to receive in-depth product information and to join hands on sessions, enabling them to have a basic understanding of d&b systems. In addition, the attendees learned the theory and its practicality in achieving superior sound in the real world, and were focused on optimising the designed sound system by using the on-board tools in the amplifiers. “It was a very practical experience”, one attendee said. “For example, we worked with ArrayCalc by ourselves in the demo room and then could rig the real system in hall 14, the training facility on the d&b campus, and listen to it.”
Besides the principles of electro acoustics, the d&b Workflow and the far field noise immission software NoizCalc, the SoundGirls got first hand insights during a factory tour. “It is amazing to see the work culture, the flexibility and people switching up work stations”, said one of the attendees. Another one said: “I like that shop floor people can suggest changes and amendments. They also work in an environment that supports a healthy work-life-balance.”
All in all, the workshop supported the objective of soundgirls.org to empower the next generation of women in the pro-audio industry. Up to now, d&b offered a female-only workshop just internally. After the first external session, d&b looks forward to welcome again external attendees for such an workshop in the near future.