The venue is Liverpool-based Adlib Audio's first AMG project, for which they have specified and installed a Nexo Geo D sound system, with Soundcraft digital consoles.
The sound design was created by Adlib's Andy Dockerty in conjunction with Roger Kirby and Mark Burnley, working closely with AMG's group technical manager, Ed Jackson and group operations manager, Richard Maides. The final system optimises the venue's requirements for the live environment with the diversity of a leading dance/club system.
Carling Academy Sheffield features a deep balcony wrapped around a dancehall style room, so the team chose traditional side-hangs stage left and right, each comprising nine elements of Nexo Geo D10. These are complimented by a block of six a-side ground stacked Nexo S2 subs. These can be moved and stored under the stage to accommodate visiting production and there are also extra loading points next to the house PA for touring systems.
To provide sound coverage across the main room's voluminous interior, there are over 40 peripheral speakers carefully positioned around the room, all manufactured by Adlib. The G10s and the Adlib cabinets are powered by a combination of Camco V6's and Crown I-Tech & XTI amplifiers. Processing is via Soundweb London.
The comprehensive monitor rig includes Martin LE1500 wedges, plus two Martin Blackline H3 tops and two S218 bass cabinets for side- fills and Adlib's own AA215 dual 15 drum sub. For control in the main room there are two Soundcraft Vi6 digital consoles, with outboard graphic equalisation and playback.
Carling Academy 2 Sheffield features three elements per side of Nexo Geo D10's, run with ADLIB's touring AA218 HL dual 18 subs. Adlib AA1214s high powered boxes are used for wide out-fill, and another Soundcraft Vi6 does both FOH and monitor mixes. There are also six sends of monitoring using Martin LE1500's with Soundweb London and Nexo processors and a 48-way multicore in each room with monitor, record and split options.
The Academy has the diversity for a third smaller area, for stand-alone, intimate nights and can act as an additional room for a club set-up at the top of the venue. Here, audio is dealt with by AA218i dual 18 subs and AA1214s - the smallest high-output box Adlib makes.
Academy Music Group is working with Bristol-based Utopium who have worked closely with AMG in several venues for its lighting installation, designed and co-ordinated with Angus Chinn using leading lighting brands including Robe moving lights and Avolites control.
"Sheffield is slightly different in that it is designed with a technical duality to function as both a live and a club venue, which gives it a challenging and exciting edge" says Chinn.
There are three straight over-stage trusses and two triangular trusses over the dancefloor, the latter can be lowered in to make the space more intimate if required.
"The idea is that this pool of lighting kit does not have fixed positions and can be shared and moved between over-stage and dancefloor rigs as required, giving incoming artists real flexibility" says AMG's group technical manager, Ed Jackson.
For the installation of the video system at Carling Academy Sheffield, AMG opted to work once again with Scott Wakelin, now of Dimension Audio. The main stage features a 6m drop-down screen, using a Sanyo projector and a high resolution three-chip camera focused on the stage.
(Jim Evans)
