"Both APG and Innovason make high end systems that, in my role as a consultant, I have no hesitation in recommending," said Nicholson. "It's not just because RSA distributes these brands that I recommend them either. I'm a very proactive engineer who uses different systems all the time, but I genuinely believe that they are the best on the market at the moment.
"It just so happens that I am lucky enough to have them in my RSA portfolio! Saying that, we had to go to considerable lengths to get hold of a Uniline system as there wasn't one available in the UK at the time. But it was well worth the effort; the results were superb and FLC's FoH engineer Walter Jaquiss was very impressed."
The Uniline system comprised 12 UL210 full-range mid/hi cabinets; six UL115B 1 x 15" subs and six TB218S 2 x 18" subs. This was complemented by eight SMX15s which were used as floor monitors and listening wedges. All the processing was provided by APG DMS26 digital loudspeaker system processors. The system was flown in City Hall, Salisbury, with the subs configured in Left/Centre/Right cardioid mode, whilst in St Albans, Nicholson opted for a ground stacked configuration with a conventional L/R sub array.
Nicholson reported that the system performed beautifully in both configurations. "The vocal, guitar, snare and hi-hat were right there in the near-field with an exceptional degree of clarity and power, which is something I've not witnessed for many years," he remarked. "Walter Jaquiss was also very pleased with the results and made particular mention of the quality of the Uniline mids and highs."
On stage it was a similar story. "The SMX15s provided an impressive amount of power and clarity for all three band members," noted Nicholson. "Huey [Morgan] and Fast each used a pair while drummer Frank had a TB118S behind him and a pair of SMX15s to each side. During the soundcheck no-one asked for any extra gain or EQ which was impressive given the heavy duty backline that was also on stage. All in all a thoroughly convincing UK debut with an internationally recognised band for APG's Uniline system."
(Jim Evans)
