The Assembly Hall's new sound system comprises 16 d&b audiotechnik Q1 loudspeakers, two Q7 centre-fills, six E6 units as front-fills, plus Q-subs and B2 subs, powered by d&b D12 amplifiers.
Mikey Powell, Assembly Hall technical manager, commented, "We secured funding to upgrade our existing loudspeaker system. The budget was limited, but we needed to ensure value for money whilst not compromising sound quality. Jay (James Christie) evaluated the systems available and recommended Orbital Sound as a provider."
James Christie, sound technician at the Assembly Hall, commented, "Orbital Sound's Lucy Jenkins came to our rescue with the option of including ex-hire sales stock, ensuring that we could implement our plans within the given budget. We started with a careful evaluation of a typical twelve-month schedule, which encompasses mid to largescale touring productions and the national roster of touring shows. We had to make sure that the new system would cater for that spread of production types, so we speed up load-ins and loud-outs, and encourage the use of in-house equipment rather than having to hire-in extra kit for the larger productions.
"We therefore wanted to go for something that offered very good flexibility, while also being a familiar product - the d&b Q1s are well known and deservedly popular. We had the system up for two weeks as an initial trial, configured with two hangs of Q1 - eight per side in a J-pattern array - plus a stack of B2 subs and Q-subs per side, to give us a full stereo system. We also angled the top two Q1s on each hang to give us enough throw up to the balcony area, to avoid the necessity of having a balcony system as such.
"During the initial two-week trial, in mid-summer, we were able to give the system a good test with a couple of smaller productions, and the difference compared to our outgoing system was immense. Probably an unfair comparison, given the two very different technologies involved, but we are certainly very pleased with the results! We had excellent feedback from many quarters, including from the entire sound and lighting team - if the lighting guys like the sound, you must be doing something right!"
Orbital Sound's director of sales, Andy Simmons adds, "We have some 30 years of practical knowledge working in the UK's entertainment venues through our rental division, and as a result we have an unparalleled understanding as to their day-to-day requirements. So when a venue makes the decision to upgrade or even invest for the first time, we fully take on board the fact that it's a big deal for them - and for us. Our mission is to make sure they get the best return for their investment, and that's where our many years' experience at the front-end comes into play."
(Jim Evans)
