A performance space was planned for Parklands from the outset, but it wasn’t until Barrett-Baxendale actually accepted her post that serious thought was given to the development of the technical infrastructure. Adlib’s Andy Dockerty specified the technical set up, which includes flexible staging and a full complement of movable drapes, in addition to the lighting and sound rigs. Adlib imported its rock ‘n’ roll touring attitude into the installation, starting with the Litec QD40 trussing grid design, which is suspended from the roof with six half-tonne Lodestar motors, purchased from fellow Merseyside-based rigging and lifting specialists, PCM.
The whole system is highly flexible, and can be flown in to the floor for easy rigging and de-rigging of the lighting and sound gear - an unusual set-up for an educational establishment. Stagebox and multicore positions can be moved anywhere in the room tidily and quickly. From a sound angle, Dockerty wanted something that was educational, but not too technical for the level of engagement at which they were aiming. The main live sound console is therefore an Allen & Heath GL2200 analogue desk with enough facilities and mics to deal properly with bands, plus the facilities to do four separate mixes to four separate sets of stage monitors. The main left and right PA is run via a dbx Drive Rack, which looks after the system crossovers, EQ and time alignment. This type of technology was included in the system spec to offer more advanced students the chance to explore beyond the basics of audio engineering.
The outboard rack consists of standard Behringer gates and dbx compressors and a Yamaha SPX 990 effects unit. The idea here is again educational, in terms of getting any potential future engineers used to the concept of inserts. The multicore has a full patch-through facility to the recording studio next door to enable live recordings. Adlib also installed a tannoy system for the reception area and a full show call relay. The main speakers are four Adlib 121 400W cabinets, currently positioned left and right of the stage, hung from the truss and focused on the dancefloor area just in front of the stage. Two Adlib 121 400s are hung on the centre truss, running as delays for the bleacher seating. The system in underpinned by 4 Adlib 15HL subs, crossed over by the drive rack, and amplification throughout is QSC RMX 2450.The current installation features generic fixtures, but full power and data cabling provision allows for the addition of a moving light rig in the future. The current rig includes 20 Selecon 1k fresnels, 16 Strand 15-32 zoom SL profiles, 24 Par 64s, plus mains and DMX looms. The dimmers are six Zero 88 Beta Packs and the 80-channel patch bay was made by Andolite.
The lighting desk is a fully programmable ETC Express 250, chosen so students can learn the basics of moving light control in addition to programming a conventional rig. So far, the space has been utilized for a huge diversity of events including pop concerts, theatre productions, conferences, exhibitions, fashion shows and training sessions.
(Ruth Rossington)
