The landscape of live sound production is undergoing a rapid technological transformation, driven by the demand for higher channel counts, lower latency, and seamless network integration. In a strategic move to address these evolving requirements, Groh-P.A. Veranstaltungstechnik, headquartered in Buchholz, has announced a significant expansion of its digital audio inventory. By substantially increasing its stock of Allen & Heath dLive components, the company is not only bolstering its capacity for full-service tour support and large-scale festivals but is also positioning itself as a premier provider in the competitive Dry Hire market. This investment represents a calculated effort to ensure "future viability" in an industry where technical flexibility is the primary currency.
Strategic Expansion of the dLive Ecosystem
The decision to double down on the Allen & Heath dLive platform was not an arbitrary one. Groh-P.A. has long utilized the dLive series, recognizing its modularity as a key asset for modern production workflows. Prior to this latest acquisition, the company already maintained a robust inventory including multiple surfaces from the S5000 and C2500 series. These were supported by DM64 and CDM32 MixRacks, along with DM0 units for space-conscious setups and DX168 stage boxes for distributed I/O.
The new investment introduces a broader range of hardware to the Buchholz warehouse. Key additions include surfaces from the C1500 and S3000 series. The C1500, in particular, is highly sought after for "fly-dates" and compact touring setups due to its 19-inch rack-mountable footprint, while the S3000 offers a middle-ground solution for engineers who require more physical faders and dual-screen feedback without the massive footprint of the flagship S7000.
On the processing side, the company has added further DM64 and DM32 MixRacks. In the dLive architecture, the MixRack is the "brain" of the system, housing the XCVI 160×64 FPGA core. By decoupling the processing from the control surface, Groh-P.A. can offer clients a level of scalability that was previously difficult to achieve. This means a production can use a small C1500 surface at the front-of-house (FOH) while still utilizing the full 128-channel processing power of a DM64 MixRack located on stage.
Technical Versatility and Connectivity Protocols
A critical component of this expansion is the focus on I/O flexibility. Modern concert tours and corporate events rarely operate in isolation; they require complex interconnectivity between PA systems, broadcast trucks, recording suites, and monitor desks. To facilitate this, Groh-P.A. has invested heavily in expansion cards for the dLive system.
The newly acquired inventory includes a wide array of Dante, GigaACE, Waves, and MADI cards.
- Dante Integration: As the industry standard for Audio-over-IP (AoIP), the addition of more Dante cards allows Groh-P.A. to integrate seamlessly with digital wireless microphone systems, powered speaker arrays, and multi-track recording setups.
- Waves V3 Support: The inclusion of Waves cards enables engineers to run SoundGrid servers for low-latency plugin processing, a staple requirement for high-end touring engineers.
- GigaACE and MADI: These protocols ensure that the dLive systems can communicate with legacy digital hardware and provide high-speed, point-to-point links between FOH and monitors or broadcast feeds.
This level of connectivity is a significant draw for the Dry Hire sector. When other event technology companies or freelance engineers rent equipment, they often need specific cards to match their existing infrastructure. By stocking the full gamut of dLive expansion options, Groh-P.A. eliminates technical bottlenecks for its partners.
The Dry Hire Business Model and Market Impact
While Groh-P.A. is well-known as a full-service provider—managing everything from logistics and rigging to sound and light design—the Dry Hire segment of their business is a vital pillar of their growth strategy. In the event industry, Dry Hire refers to the rental of equipment without accompanying staff. This is essential for large festivals where multiple stages are managed by different vendors who may need to "cross-rent" specific gear to meet an artist’s technical rider.
Jan Grohmann-Falke, the owner of Groh-P.A., emphasized that the modular nature of the dLive system is what makes it a perfect fit for this model. "With dLive, you are very flexible," Grohmann-Falke stated. "The modular system allows you to cross-connect every component, making the systems easily scalable. Being able to react spontaneously and swap components depending on the size of the production is no problem at all. This is particularly valued on the tours we support."
By offering these components for Dry Hire, Groh-P.A. acts as a strategic reserve for the North German event industry. This reduces the capital expenditure requirements for smaller firms while ensuring that high-end, reliable technology is available throughout the region.
Chronology of Growth and Industry Context
The timing of this investment is noteworthy. The global live event industry has seen a massive resurgence following the disruptions of the early 2020s. According to industry data from organizations like the VPLT (the German Entertainment Technology Association), there is a growing trend toward "technological consolidation," where companies invest in a single, versatile platform rather than multiple disparate systems.
Groh-P.A.’s journey with Allen & Heath has been a multi-year progression:
- Initial Adoption: Recognizing the dLive’s potential for high-fidelity 96kHz audio processing.
- Standardization: Building a core inventory around the S5000 and DM64 for major tours.
- Diversification: Adding the C-Class surfaces to cater to corporate events and smaller venues.
- Massive Expansion (2024-2026): Reaching a critical mass of inventory to support simultaneous major productions and a high-volume Dry Hire business.
This chronology reflects a broader shift in the market. As digital consoles have become more like computers—defined by their software and networking capabilities—the value of a rental house is increasingly measured by the "depth" of their ecosystem. Having one dLive console is useful; having a dozen compatible units with every possible expansion card is a competitive advantage.
Implications for Tour Management and Festival Logistics
For tour managers and production heads, the expansion at Groh-P.A. simplifies the logistical "puzzle" of a tour. When a show moves from a 500-capacity club to a 5,000-capacity arena, the audio system needs to grow accordingly. Because the dLive software and show files are compatible across the entire range, an engineer can move from a C1500 to an S5000 without having to rebuild their mix from scratch.
Furthermore, the addition of more DX168 stage boxes allows for "distributed I/O." Instead of running long, heavy analog snakes to various parts of a stage, engineers can place small, 16-input boxes exactly where they are needed—near the drum kit, the keyboard rig, or the wireless rack—connecting them back to the MixRack with a single Cat6 cable. This reduces setup time, minimizes cable clutter, and improves signal integrity.
Presence at LEAT con 26
To showcase the capabilities of their expanded inventory and to engage with the wider industry community, the Groh-P.A. team will be exhibiting at LEAT con 26. Held in Hall A1, the convention serves as a primary hub for networking among event technology professionals, venue operators, and manufacturers.
For Groh-P.A., LEAT con is not merely a marketing opportunity but a platform to demonstrate the practical applications of their new gear. Technical staff, including sound engineer Till Siegel, will be on hand to discuss the nuances of the dLive system and the advantages of the company’s Dry Hire services. This face-to-face interaction is crucial for building the trust required in high-stakes production environments, where equipment failure is not an option.
Conclusion: A Future-Proof Foundation
The substantial expansion of the Allen & Heath dLive inventory at Groh-P.A. Veranstaltungstechnik is more than a simple equipment purchase; it is a strategic reinforcement of the company’s market position. By investing in a platform that prioritizes modularity, scalability, and high-end networking, Jan Grohmann-Falke and his team are preparing for a future where events are increasingly complex and technically demanding.
As the industry moves toward more integrated digital workflows, the ability to provide a comprehensive, "ready-to-go" ecosystem of surfaces, racks, and I/O cards will distinguish the leaders from the followers. Whether as a full-service partner for an international tour or a reliable Dry Hire source for a local colleague, Groh-P.A. has established a foundation that is well-equipped to handle the rigors of the modern stage. The Buchholz-based firm has sent a clear signal to the market: they are ready for the next generation of live entertainment.
