Concert Sound's Andy Davies confirmed that Knopfler has been an EAW aficionado since his debut as a solo artist some 10 years ago. "Back then we were using what was at the time the industry-standard touring rig - a KF850/853 system. Three years ago, after many years of long and tireless service, we replaced it with the KF760 line array, which performs fabulously well. For my money, there isn't a better system on the market in terms of audio clarity and consistency over long distances. We only ever need to use delays in really huge stadium-like venues. For an arena tour like this, they are simply not necessary. We're getting detailed high end and powerful bass with smooth, uniform coverage all the way to the back of the arena with our standard PA set-up."
What Davies refers to as the standard PA comprises two hangs on each side of the stage (a main and a sidehang), each consisting of KF760 with KF761 at the bottom of the curve for smooth nearfield coverage. Certain venues, such as London's Wembley Arena, merit an additional rear KF750/755 hang for truly optimal coverage. Up to 16 ground-stacked SB1000 subs handle the low end requirements while extreme front fill is handled by a distributed mono system of EAW KF730 compact line array cabinets. These have proved to be a superb low profile, high output stage lip system. The entire system is driven by Lab.gruppen fp6400s with XTA processing throughout.
"It's a proven formula that continues to deliver excellent results and that everybody is comfortable with," observed Davies. "We put it up, we set it up and off we go - what more do you wantΩ"
(Lee Baldock)
