Following a 22 year career in sound, working with artists like Maribou State, Biig Piig and The Vaccines, David Goodwin is striving to bring sound systems into the heart of the creative conversation with the launch of Stencil Audio.
“I was starting to become aware that creatives put so much effort into the overall vision of a show and then the sound system is traditionally just a set of black boxes surrounding it,” Goodwin said, speaking to TPi.
He shared that the inspiration for the creation of Stencil Audio was working as an engineer on a premiere and a director approached the sound desk and asked him to move the PA system out of shot. “I explained that we couldn’t because the sound system was crucial, and the audience needed to hear the press conference we were mixing, but I asked if having covers on the speakers would aid the overall vision; they were interested, and the rest, as they say, is history,” Goodwin said, mentioning that following one social media post to gauge interest in the concept he was inundated with requests.
What then followed was the creation of Stencil Audio, which now designs and manufactures custom-printed acoustically transparent loudspeaker covers that manufactured with fire rated material for sound systems for the creative vision and further sponsorship opportunities. Goodwin believes this concept is perfect for festivals.
“I think the gap in the market is that there is an untapped potential for set design, but I also think that at a time when festivals in the UK are struggling directly it gives another chance for brands to get recognition at these events and therefore support the festival,” Goodwin added. “I also think that it brings everything together, so that every single aspect of a show can be cohesive with what the overall vision of a show, stage or festival is.”
Stencil Audio, Goodwin explains, provides productions with an extra asset to use creatively, without compromising on sound, and for him this is a passion project. “For the past 20 years, I have spent more time on festival grounds than on tour, so festivals are where I want Stencil’s heart to be,” Goodwin said, impassioned. “When I look at festivals, or reminisce on them, you spend all day with your friends watching artists you love and its euphoric and for Stencil Audio to be a part of that is vital to our culture. Touching hearts through sound is one of the most important things to me.”
Not ready to shut his flightcase just yet, the engineer aims to keep up with ever-changing trends, attitudes, and how sound systems are rigged by continually operating in the field. “It’s important to continue to work as a sound engineer, my heart is still in the industry, and it is so ingrained into my life,” Goodwin added.
Key to growth, Goodwin says, will be R&D and experimenting with solutions driven by market demand. “I don’t think that we will ever get to the point where we think our work is done. We want innovation to be a clear part of who and what we are,” Goodwin concluded. “We’re a living, breathing hub of creativity all the way through to the technical implementation, but our soul, will always be in the heart of creativity.”
Words: Alicia Pollitt
Photos: Stencil Audio
