Tag Archive: Shure QLXD

1. White Light Supplies Big Hunk O’ Sound for Elvis 1969 Concert

   16 May 2017 14:15 Comments Off on White Light Supplies Big Hunk O’ Sound for Elvis 1969 Concert

   ELVIS Las Vegas 1969 is a brand-new theatre production based on the final few hours leading up to Elvis Presley making his return to the stage following his hiatus in Hollywood. The show received its world premiere last week at The Woodville Theatre, Gravesend, with plans for a UK tour and West End season. Following continued investment in the latest audio technology, White Light supplied the audio equipment for the production.

   The show is produced by Anscombe Production Associates and features a book by writer/director Gerry Tebbutt who has crafted a story from the real-life events surrounding the concert.  The sound designer was Marcus Wadland for White Light. He comments: “ELVIS Las Vegas 1969 is a really unique show in the sense that the first act is all about the drama and the story whereas the second act is the actual concert in full, featuring all of the classic Elvis songs”.

   The unique layout of the show meant this influenced Marcus’ sound design. He adds: “When designing a show, you take very different approaches when working on a naturalistic piece as opposite to a loud concert. Similarly, this show had a live band on stage, which included a drummer, lead and rhythm guitarist, backing vocal group and even a brass section! Therefore, I needed equipment which could cover all of the varying requirements”.

   To achieve this, Marcus drew on WL’s extensive audio inventory. Marcus explains: “For the first act, I used Shure ULXD and QLXD radio microphones with capsules hidden in the hair line to offer a more naturalistic sound. To provide the energy needed for the booming second act concert, I supplemented the in-house K-array KH15 and KMT18 Subs PA system with WL’s QSC system for front-fill, out-fill and stage monitors.

   He adds: “All of the audio equipment was controlled via a Yamaha QLS Desk and utilised Rio 16 Way and 32 Way Dante racks. For the band, I used WL’s stock of Shure and Sennheiser microphones”.
   To prepare for the show, Marcus and the production team had a week in the venue for rehearsals and sound checks. He states: “As this was such a busy show, we had to ensure that all of the various elements, from performance to lighting and, of course, the sound, worked holistically and gave the audience the best experience possible”.
   The show completed its run at the Woodville last Saturday and is now tipped to transfer to the West End following a UK tour.
   Marcus adds: “This really is a great production, both for Elvis fans and those wanting a foot-tapping show. The response we received from the audience was fantastic and we are excited to see where its journey takes us”.
   For more information, please visit: http://www.anscombe.co/
    

2. White Light Installs New Audio System at Royal Albert Hall’s North Circle Bar

   31 January 2017 10:52 Comments Off on White Light Installs New Audio System at Royal Albert Hall’s North Circle Bar

   The Royal Albert Hall is one of Europe’s most historic concert halls. It has housed over 150,000 live performances and has a capacity of up to 6,000. Alongside the main hall itself, the building boasts a series of several other unique spaces including the North Circle Bar. Whereas the Bar was traditionally used as a drinking area prior to performances in the main space, the venue wanted to transform it into a live music environment with a purposely designed audio system. They approached White Light to provide the complete technical solutions.

   The decision to renovate the North Circle Bar came as part of a wider development within the Royal Albert Hall. Steph Baldwin, Technical Project Manager at the Royal Albert Hall, comments: “We strive to ensure that all of our spaces are being used to their full potential. The North Circle Bar overlooks the Albert Memorial and is the perfect size for intimate performances. Working alongside the venue’s Project Manager Matt Mann, we wanted to have the capability to use the space as a live music environment on occasion – which was why we contacted WL”.

   WL’s Lee Dennison comments: “When we were approached by the venue, they gave us a very specific, clear brief: they wanted the room to have a discrete audio set-up with very simple controls. It was important that the audio could provide the very best support for any live performance yet not be overly complicated”.

   Lee made several visits to the Bar in order to fully assess the space and its requirements. This was then followed by a demonstration with some of the venue’s main stakeholders, in which Lee showcased some of the very latest audio equipment taken from WL’s inventory.

   Lee adds: “After much discussion between ourselves and the venue, we decided that a K-array system would fulfil the brief due its powerful amplification and clear acoustics”.

   The system used was a K-array KK102 Mark I. This is a passive speaker system comprised of sixteen 2” neodymium magnet transducers housed in an elegant and sturdy stainless steel chassis. The system provides specific vertical coverage to keep bounce and reflection to a minimum but greater horizontal dispersion to allow for the coverage required for patrons attending the bar and live events.  This is then supplemented by a K-array sub to provide a full range and extremely dynamic system for spoken word through to full live band amplification.

   Another one of the factors when deciding the system was the aesthetics. Lee comments: “We had to ensure that the installation was as discrete as possible. The K-array speakers have long, slim features meaning they are naturally unobtrusive and fit into any room. That said, to ensure that they completely blended into the Bar space, we wrapped them in acoustically transparent vinyl which matched the room’s colour scheme”.

   Alongside the K-array equipment, WL also drew on the Yamaha TF1 Mixer in order to control all of the live elements within the space coupled with a WiFi access point to allow for iPad operation. An installed Yamaha MRX7D acts as both system management and interface to allow for system use with the mixer as well as EVAC services connection. Shure QLXD radio microphones are also used within the space.

   WL installed the audio system over a three-week period and also oversaw the lighting installation within the space. The North Circle Bar is now being used as a live performance venue, with every act assured that they will receive the greatest audio support possible.

   Steph states: “What was great about working with WL was their knowledge and resources. We were able to tell them exactly what we required and they were able to offer a technical solution that would fulfil this”.

   Lee adds: “The North Circle Bar is a great example of us working closely with a venue and providing technical solutions that are tailored precisely to their exact needs. As recently seen with our work at The Hospital Club and Central Hall Westminster, we have the technology and expertise to help transform any space and relish the opportunity to do so”.

   Photos courtesy of Paul Karalius/Royal Albert Hall and Paul Karalius/Royal Albert Hall.