As managing director of Big Bear Sound, specialists in professional audio sales and hire, Michael Browne is likely to be busier than most at this year’s Music Ireland ‘06, what with having two stands to oversee, one for Big Bear and the other for Apple Audio Solutions.

Michael is positive about the current state of the business in Ireland, drawing special attention to the growth in the educational side, with new courses in technology springing up in places where you would have least expected them only a few years ago. More and more musicians are exploring ways in which the new technology can facilitate their musical aspirations and finding ways in which the technology enhances their musical skills.

He is also conscious of the challenges being brought by the Internet, but says, “The Internet may affect the smaller dealers, but these challenges sometimes make us try that little bit harder, and I already see a move by many retailers to a more service-based business.”

The Apple Audio Solutions stand will, according to Michael, feature virtually everything in the Apple Audio catalogue, from iPods to portable lap-tops, iMacs, Macprose, 20, 23 and 30 inch displays and all the relevant software. And you’ll also be able to check out their Logic Pro, Logic Express and Final Cut studio products of interest to the audio and video user. The Big Bear Sound stand will feature virtually anything you might need to use in the course of making a recording – from a basic microphone to a hard-drive.

He’s also been a keen enthusiast of Music Ireland since it was first mooted some years back.

“I’m really very excited about it. I believe that any opportunity you get to put your product range in front of a new and relevant audience has to be a good thing. It’s also great having the support of Hot Press this year. The Irish musical instrument market is very buoyant right now, and it’s terrific to have an event where you can have a bodhran maker from Connacht under the same roof as a high-end PA company,” Michael says.

As the future of the playing, recording and enjoyment of music looks like becoming increasingly digital as we move into the future, this is one stand not to miss.

Jackie Hayden