Also the home of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, LPH hosts more than 250 concerts and events of all kinds each year - from classical, opera, folk, rock, pop and roots music to comedy, film, speeches, conferences and private events. So the new audio system had to be exceptionally flexible, but visually not detract from the venue's unique art deco architecture.
Liverpool-based Adlib was invited to tender for the design and supply of the system and the company's installation director Roger Kirby explains why Coda ViRAY was the natural choice.
"Flexibility and multi-functionality were crucial requirements, as well as delivering top quality audio for all events, with an infrastructure capable of dovetailing with current touring sound rigs," he says. "Coda's ViRAY is impressively coherent, it has a high output and looks elegant, which is essential in a building like Liverpool Philharmonic Hall with its art deco style architecture.
"In short, as a compact three-way symmetrical line array module specifically designed for applications like this, ViRAY ticked all the boxes."
Roger and Adlib managing director Andy Dockerty worked closely with Coda Audio's technical support manager Edgar Krueger, with installation and system commissioning co-ordinated by Adlib system technician George Puttock working alongside Gilbert-Ash Ltd, the venue's main contractor.
The main PA hangs comprise 14 flown Coda ViRAY per side, with three Coda SC2-F bass extension units flown on each side immediately behind the main arrays.
Three Coda SCP sensor controlled 2x18" subs are ground-stacked each side, while the curvature of the stage means four Coda TiRAY full range front-fills are needed to cover the front row of the stalls. Meanwhile, eight Coda G308s are located just upstage of the proscenium arch to provide foldback for the stage and upstage choir stalls. Power and control comes from Coda's LINUS platform.
"The installation was completed within a tight window of opportunity and we have already experienced the many advantages of the new system," says Richard Curtis, acting technical manager for the Liverpool Philharmonic.
"Visiting engineers and our audiences have commented very positively about the quality of the sound and the TiRAY front fills eradicate any sightline issues, while still providing an excellent sonic experience for our audiences."
(Jim Evans)
