Written by Tim Armstrong

G.A.S (Gamblin Audio Services) began in 1992 as a provider of public address and recording services to a small number of Amateur dramatics groups, social & rotary clubs. Services usually involved supplying microphones and a sound system. Performances were often recorded onto analogue or digital tape, edited and reproduced on cassette for sale to audiences on site.

Every so often we were approached and asked if we could provide a sound system for a party and then if we could perhaps put some music on as well. Sometimes we'd hire in some lighting too and it wasn't long before we had our hearts set on a new venture!

SOUND PROJ-X began in 1993 and was set up by Tim Armstrong and Gary Gamblin as a mobile disco company, operating in the Southampton area. Rather than starting with nothing and growing a rubbish rig into something a little less rubbish, it was decided to invest in some half decent kit and hope that we got enough jobs to pay it off.

Our jumping in at the deep end certainly paid off and the rig we used allowed us to pitch ourselves above the average mobile disco. After 6 months we didn't need to advertise at all - our diary was pretty much full by word of mouth! We grew in number as well with the addition of Alan Morgan (Alboy!) and Ben Hawksworth; bringing the team to four.

After 2 years on the road doing private weddings and birthdays our rig had trebled in size and the car boots were replaced with a van. We continued to invest 100% of our revenues back into the business and soon found ourselves doing two discos a night. We also continued with the sound and lighting services and often found ourselves working with bands, drama groups and social clubs supplying a wide range of services from simple equipment hires to large productions.

In 1995 we secured a twice-weekly residency at a lively venue in Fareham, allowing us to concentrate on our preferred taste in music - that being the House genre. We saw a new market here - not so much a mobile disco but a mobile nightclub; CDs became records, disco lights became strobes and the sound system grew!

In a small Christmas tree field in Curdridge, Southampton, the owner decided to have a BBQ. This was the turning point for SOUND PROJ-X. Although little more than a Hi-Fi and handful of people, that BBQ in 1995 sowed the seeds for what was to become a well-known and much loved outdoor annual event.

The outdoor “Christmas Tree Fields” events (from 1995-2000) required more than just sound and light services - there was event management, promoting, logistics, Health and Safety etc.

In 1998, two things happened. Firstly, Gary Gamblin left the company to pursue a different interest and secondly, the company split and moved in two directions. “SOUND PROJ-X Services” was formed to continue providing discos, event management, sound, lighting and production etc. SOUND PROJ-X Promotions was formed to run its own events and concentrate on the SPX brand and the musical blueprint.

In 2005, SOUND PROJ-X Limited was incorporated and officially began trading on 1 st April. A brand new website was launched to reflect a new image & structure as well as the growing portfolio of products and services that the company has to offer.