PP Sound Light Productions harnesses state-of-the-art audio tech to amplify every rev and beat at Goa’s premier motorcycle festival.

“At PP, we understand that sound is not just an element of an event—it is the soul that connects the audience to the experience. And we take immense pride in delivering a sonic experience that’s tailored to the unique needs of every event. For IBW 2024, our goal was clear — to craft an audio environment that would match the high energy of the festival while providing a consistent and immersive experience for every attendee, regardless of their position within the venue. We wanted every attendee to feel the pulse of the festival in every note and every beat, no matter where they stood…” explains Prasad Parkar, founder – director of PP Sound Light Productions, as he speaks about his company providing the comprehensive sound architecture for India’s premier festival for motorcycle enthusiasts and music afficionados – the India Bike Week 2024.

The India Bike Week (IBW) 2024, held on 6-7 December at Vagator, Goa, was a vivid celebration of biking culture, attracting thousands of motorbike enthusiasts from across the world. With the theme “The Next Chapter”, this year’s edition marked a defining moment for the festival, blending the raw energy of motorbikes with cutting-edge entertainment. Set against the stunning backdrop of Goa’s scenic beauty, the event featured exhilarating activities such as the Harley-Davidson Flat Track Race, the Reise Moto Dirt Dash and Hill Climb, and performances by legendary riders like MotoGP’s Xavier Simeon and adventurer Elspeth Beard, the first British woman to circumnavigate the globe on a motorcycle. The Moto Art Collective added a touch of creativity, transforming motorcycles into stunning pieces of art. Talks by legendary figures such as MotoGP rider Xavier Simeon and Elspeth Beard, the first British woman to circumnavigate the globe on a motorcycle, brought inspiration and awe, creating moments of profound connection.

That being said, music was undeniably the heartbeat of the festival. Two dynamic stages— the Main Stage and the Howling Dog Stage— set the rhythm for the weekend, offering a sonic adventure that perfectly complemented the festival’s high-octane vibe. The Main Stage erupted with soulful and energetic performances, kicking off with the melodious duo OAFF and Savera. Brodha V’s fiery rap anthems elevated the energy to fever pitch, while DJ Smokey and Divine’s headline act on Day 2 left the crowd roaring in unison. Meanwhile, the Howling Dog Stage offered a more intimate yet equally enthralling experience, featuring standout performances by Gauriwho, All Yellow, DJ Blackjack, and the Hideaway All Stars. Together, these stages provided a diverse musical journey that resonated deeply with every attendee.

For the 2024 edition, PP Sound Light Productions, one of India’s premier live event technical solution providers, was entrusted with the responsibility of delivering a comprehensive sound reinforcement system for the entire festival. Known for their unparalleled expertise and technical prowess in crafting immersive audio-visual landscapes, PP Sound Light Productions ensured that IBW 2024 was not only a feast for the eyes but also an auditory adventure.

The magnitude of the task before PP Sound Light Productions was immense: to create a soundscape that would complement the high-octane atmosphere of the festival while also ensuring clarity and coverage across the sprawling venue. The team approached this challenge with meticulous planning, surveying the venue, understanding the organisers’ vision, and considering the specific technical requirements for each performance area.

For the Main Stage, which was the heart of the festival’s musical performances, PP Sound Light Productions deployed the Meyer Sound PANTHER line array system, coupled with the DiGiCo Quantum 338 digital mixing console. The decision to use the Meyer Sound PANTHER was driven by its ability to deliver impeccable sonic clarity, unparalleled throw, impressive coverage, and superb linearity.

The Main Stage required a robust system capable of handling high-energy performances in an expansive open-air environment. And to meet these demands, the team relied on 16 units of Meyer Sound PANTHER line array modules, arranged in a stereo configuration with eight modules adorning either side of the plush performance stage. In tow, a few additional units of the PANTHER line array system were used for front-fill reinforcement, ensuring that even those located at the front of the stage enjoyed seamless coverage.

And to deliver deep, chest-thumping low-end response, the team integrated 16 units of the Meyer Sound 2100-LFC subwoofers into the main PA system; with these subwoofers strategically ground-stacked to provide the necessary low-frequency impact that perfectly complemented the high-energy performances on stage.

Team PP’s thoroughness in deploying every single loudspeaker coupled with precise tuning of the overall system ensured that the entire audience, from the front to the farthest reaches of the venue, experienced consistent sound quality. “The PANTHER system is designed to deliver optimal sound pressure levels with remarkable throw and coverage. It’s a system that thrives in large-scale outdoor environments, and it ensured that every attendee, no matter where they were, felt part of the music,” Prasad explains; adding that the entire system was managed using Meyer Sound’s Galileo, which offered precise control over every element of the system. With this setup, PP Sound Light Productions delivered a sonic experience that was nothing short of spectacular.

While the Main Stage was the primary draw, the Howling Dog Stage offered a more intimate atmosphere for those seeking a different kind of auditory experience. “Each stage had its own personality,” Prasad notes, “The Main Stage was about grand, sweeping soundscapes, while the Howling Dog Stage allowed us to craft a more personal connection with the audience.”

For the Howling Dog stage, PP Sound Light Productions deployed the d&b Audiotechnik V-Series line array system, once again paired with the DiGiCo Quantum 338 digital mixing console; with the d&b Audiotechnik V-Series being chosen for its compact size and powerful performance – making it perfectly suited for this performance section.

The main PA at the Howling Dog Stage consisted of 12 units of the V-Series line array modules arranged in a stereo configuration, with six modules flown on each side of the stage; and additional V-Series line array modules deployed as centre-fill reinforcement. The decision to utilise the V-series as the primary PA as well as the fill reinforcement allowed team PP to provide clear and consistent sound across the entire performance area, ensuring that every listener felt connected to the performance, irrespective of where they stood. And rounding off the impressive loudspeaker system, 8 units of the compact yet surprisingly powerful d&b Audiotechnik B22 subwoofers were ground-stacked strategically to assure deep and resonant low frequency fidelity.

“We wanted to offer something unique at the Howling Dog Stage,” Prasad explains. “The V-Series system was perfect for this because of its compactness and its ability to maintain high clarity and power despite the smaller scale. We ensured that every moment, whether it was a deep bass drop or a delicate melody, was captured perfectly.”

In addition to the main PA systems, PP Sound Light Productions also deployed high-performance stage monitoring systems to cater to the diverse and often demanding needs of the world-class artist lineup that graced both the performance stages. For this, the team turned to d&b Audiotechnik’s Max 2 stage monitors, which are renowned for their clarity and accuracy; as they provided artists with real-time audio feedback, ensuring that they could deliver their best performances.

Wireless microphone systems are another crucial aspect of any large-scale event, and PP Sound Light Productions once again left no stone unturned in this area. The team provided world-class wireless microphone systems, including SHURE’s Axient Digital and Sennheiser’s 6000 Digital systems, to ensure seamless signal transmission without any interference. These systems were complemented by Sennheiser’s IEM 2000 series in-ear monitoring systems, providing performers with crisp, clear audio while maintaining mobility on stage.

Though the MainStage and Howling Dog stage were the primary focus at IBW 2024, it is important to note that PP Sound Light Productions also provided world-class audio reinforcement for the festival’s other activity zones, which included the likes of the Flat Track section, the Ladhak Tent section, the Box Office, Media Lounge, Club Village, the Big Trip section, and the Main Entry Gate. Each activity zone had its own set of requirements, ranging from crowd control and announcements to background music and live commentary. And so, for these areas, the team deployed smaller yet equally high-performance sound systems from leading brands like d&b Audiotechnik, RCF, and JBL Professional. By deploying the right systems in each zone, PP Sound Light Productions ensured that the entire festival was enveloped in sound, creating a cohesive and immersive audio experience for all.

The audio reinforcement at India Bike Week 2024 was nothing short of a triumph, with PP Sound Light Productions delivering a world-class sound experience that complemented the festival’s high-energy atmosphere. From the powerful Meyer Sound PANTHER system at the Main Stage to the intimate yet potent d&b Audiotechnik V-Series setup at the Howling Dog Stage, every element of the audio setup was designed and deployed with precision.

“The success of IBW 2024 was not just about providing sound systems; it was about creating an experience,” Prasad concludes. “We wanted to ensure that the music, the performances, and the atmosphere came together seamlessly, and I believe we achieved that. The feedback from both the organisers and the attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, and that’s the ultimate reward for any technical provider.”

India Bike Week 2024 was a landmark event in many ways, and PP Sound Light Productions played a key role in ensuring that the festival’s sonic experience was as unforgettable as the rides, races, and performances that defined it.