Confirming the purchase of a large arena system (and complementary MLX subs), Capital Sound general manager Paul Timmins states that the inventory upgrade is designed to future proof the company - who number Take That, The Killers and Stereophonics among their regular accounts - for the foreseeable future.
Speaking of the purchase, he explained, "In the modern era it is no longer a case of buying a system simply because we've been associated with the same brand for 25 years. We reviewed and demoed every major market system - but in the end it was vital that we backed 'second generation' technology ... and however good the other systems were, only the MLA offered us this, with the right size and weight package."
Technical manager, Ian Colville, noted, "From a technical standpoint MLA quite simply is the next generation. Unlike line arrays, MLA calculates and controls each individual transducer throughout the array to create a uniform sound field across the length and breadth of the audience area. Parameters that have traditionally been difficult to predict and control - SPL variation, frequency response and coverage cut-off - can be accurately defined in the prediction software and re-calculated, if necessary, 'on the fly'."
He added that having spoken to technicians and engineers that had used MLA extensively the verdict so far had been unanimous: "MLA is very accurate, very responsive and very very loud!"
Sheer power was one criterion that Capital Sound had examined closely during the review period. Conclusive proof that this was a stadium system was provided in a shoot out against the Martin Audio Longbow system outdoors at Silverstone. Having been the first company in the world to use MLA (beta-testing with Enter Shikari at HMV Hammersmith Apollo in 2010), Cap Sound were able to assess its coverage and cut-off parameters during last summer's outdoor season (at LED Festival), its speech and intelligibility on a comedy show at O2 Arena, and its ability to deliver high octane sound in smaller venues (with Whitesnake).
Said Martin Audio sales director, Simon Bull, "As our longest-serving partner, we are delighted that Capital Sound have joined our growing community of MLA users. The fact that they carried out such an exhaustive review of other market leaders' systems before reaching their decision makes the sale all the sweeter."
Capital Sound have already earmarked the new MLA system for a major global arena tour, beginning this Autumn.
(Jim Evans)
