Purple Audio is one of Australia’s leading specialists in high-end sound system design, installation, and operation. Renowned for their expertise with Funktion-One, they provide cutting-edge audio solutions for festivals, clubs, and live events such as Pitch Music & Arts, Strawberry Fields, and Inner Varnika, delivering world-class sound experiences. With a deep understanding of acoustics, system tuning, and event logistics, Purple Audio has built a strong reputation for delivering powerful, immersive sound with exceptional clarity and precision.
In this interview, Chris Lath shares insights into how he got started, the challenges he’s faced, and what the future holds for Purple Audio.
Hey Chris, how's things been going for you and Purple Audio? I’ve seen it’s been a busy Summer/Festival season.
Yeah, it’s been a huge summer for us at Purple Audio! The festival season has been non-stop, and we’ve been fortunate to work on some of the best events in Australia. Nonetheless, it’s been a rewarding but intense season, from system design to on-site tuning and making sure every stage sounds as good as possible. Seeing crowds fully engaged in the music and feeling the energy of a properly tuned system makes all the hard work worth it.
What motivated you to start your own company in such a competitive industry, and what is your next major goal for Purple Audio?
It was an idea I had about using a popular sound system that was known to be at the Rainbow Serpent Festival. This was around 2013. I didn't think about the competition, I only thought I didn't see it around Melbourne. At least not in the places I was going. We look to do bigger stages in the future and are always growing.
What was the most surprising thing you learned or dealt with during your time in the live music industry?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in the live music industry is the importance of getting your name out there and building strong relationships. It’s not just about having the technical skills—you need to be visible, reliable, and proactive in promoting what you do. When we started Purple Audio, we made sure to be present at as many events as possible, networking with promoters, artists, and production teams. Word-of-mouth is huge in this industry, and delivering consistently great sound is what keeps people coming back
How much did COVID affect your company, and how did you return from that?
COVID stopped us in our tracks, like just about everything in the Live Music industry. I had to take a desk job at Store DJ/Mannys Music for 3 years before things slowly started coming back.
What considerations do you make when deploying a system at a festival or event, and how long does it normally take to set up?
Depending on the size, it usually takes a day and a half to two days to set up. Considerations can be anything from PA height, stability of PA risers, which can be signed off by a qualified builder, Width of PA, Angle tilt of Speakers, how long have you got the list, goes on haha…
Do you find it challenging to meet certain needs of Event organisers and Artists, and how do you best deal with that?
It depends on the Organiser and artist. I work very closely with the Event Organisers, so my relationships are always solid, trying to find the best solutions to any problems that may arise. Artists, on the other hand, can go both ways 9 times out of 10 it’s always a pleasure, but sometimes there are difficulties and disagreements, but that's just a part of the job.
What is the wildest event you’ve had to manage?
Early Pitch Music and Arts 2018
What is your dream event to work at?
Dekmantel in Amsterdamn
Is there anything that would assist your company that doesn’t exist? What would you invent to assist your company?
CDJ Sun Glare Protectors
