Sound on Stage works at a variety of high profile events from offices in Dubai and the Lebanon. Having run other large format line source systems for many years, Mazen and Rawad needed to invest in a new system to upscale their provision of quality sound solutions.
"We wanted to invest in a more advanced audio system, to take advantage of the latest sound technology," says Rawad. "We auditioned several and, following a meeting with Paul Ward, Coda's representative at the PALME show in Dubai, were invited to spend a few days at their headquarters in Hanover, Germany."
Mazen and Rawad were given an insight into Coda's state-of-the-art technology and had the opportunity to listen extensively to the full Coda range in the company's large, purpose-built demonstration space. Concluding that the company provides the best aural results currently available, they invested in the Airline LA-12 system.
On their return, it was immediately put to use at Lebanon's Beiteddine Festival. Located in the mountains above the Lebanese capital Beirut, the festival encompasses many styles, including Oriental and Arabic music, jazz, rock and opera with a full orchestra.
"We have been doing the festival for 13 years and we were very excited about using the LA-12 system for the first time," says Rawad. "We were confident that it would deliver the kind of sound quality that some of the musicians had been asking for and we weren't disappointed."
Coda system engineer Gareth Jones flew out to Lebanon to support Sound on Stage at this first major use of the system. "With a large 15m deep orchestra pit directly in front of the stage, we decided to fly the entire system stage L/R on custom towers," he says. "The main audience area was 50m wide and rose 14m over a 60m throw. I worked with Sound on Stage to design the system in EASE FOCUS II, which not only provided the LF rejection required from the orchestra pit, but also seamless coverage of the entire audience area."
The system comprised 18 LA-12 three-way line array modules and 12 SC8 4 x 18" sensor controlled multi-pattern subs, with eight G308s for front fills. System processing and power was delivered courtesy of Coda RC40/20 racks, which provide an intuitive 'plug and play' solution.
(Jim Evans)
