This ambitious investment plan was executed over two years to improve the utilization of space, functionality and to enhance the overall student experience at the Guild & Reilly Building which is central to the university campus.
For Adlib, this has included design and installation of a comprehensive power & cabling infrastructure, provision of L-Acoustics and Coda audio systems, together with production lighting rigs featuring more premium brands like Robe, Martin by Harman and ETC and the development of a custom IGUS cable management solution with Lift-Turn-Move (LTM), also based locally, supplying hoists and motor control. Adlib specified Prolyte Truss to complete the rigging package.
The project involved technical upgrades for the three venues - Mountford Hall, the Stanley Theatre and The Courtyard.
Adlib won a competitive tender for the supply. The project was managed for them by John Hughes and Roger Kirby. Hughes and Kirby worked closely with LGoS Technical Supervisor Matt Gadsby and the University of Liverpool's Project Manager Andy Murphy.
They were also appointed early enough in the project to have an input into certain construction related elements of the building's redevelopment which related to the production areas via structural engineers (OPUS) which resulted in additional weight loading being made available for flown trusses and lighting and sound systems in Mountford Hall.
As with the other recent installations, Adlib's design is a touring grade system and the current universal popularity - confirmed by their own busy rental department - of L-Acoustics was one factor in choosing the Kara PA system for Mountford Hall.
All the L-Acoustics elements are powered by proprietary LA8 and LA4X amplifiers and the Adlib speakers by Crown XTi 6002s. System processing is provided via a BSS Soundweb London BLU-160 networked processors
For control, Soundcraft consoles were chosen - again - for specification and its reputation for reliability as well as offering great sound, intuitive user interface and adaptability, with a Vi3000 console for FOH and a Vi1 for monitors.
The PA arrays and the lighting trusses are both flown on LTM's LoadGuard motors and their respective cabling run and supported via a custom IGUS e-Chain and e-Spool cable management system.
For lighting 12 of Robe's multi-functional Pointes were picked for their versatility and the fact that they can be a beam, wash, spot or effects fixture - giving great all round value. They are joined by 12 Martin MAC Aura LED wash fixtures and six ETC Source Four Zooms for key lights and specials.
For effects there are eight 2-lite blinders, Atomic strobes and two Martin Magnum 2500 hazers, all run from an Avolites Pearl Expert console. The lighting was also spec'd to be as flexible and dynamic as possible and cater for a range of performance genres. For the Courtyard and Stanley Theatre spaces, Adlib specified a new Coda Audio system.
The Courtyard's lighting package includes eight Chauvet Professional SlimPAR LED PARs and six Source Four zooms run from an Avolites Titan 1 Mobile. A similar new audio and lighting set-up features in the Stanley Theatre, which now has six Coda G308 speakers together with 12 Chauvet Professional COLORado Tri Tour LED PARs, eight ETC Source Four Zooms and four Source Four Juniors.
(Jim Evans)
