Entec's head of sound Dick Hayes said: "It was the right time for us to purchase a line array system, and so I looked at several options. After plenty of experimentation and comparisons, it made sense to stick with d&b, retaining the continuity and quality of the rest of our kit." The Amici system is being driven by new d&b D12 digital amplifiers - which can also drive any d&b enclosure. Entec has also purchased a new Midas Verona console that's being used at FOH by Bartlett.
The Q system is very compact and ideal for medium sized venues and theatres. Entec serviced the Amici tour last year with a d&b C7 system, and when they won the contract again this year, it coincided with the new purchase. Amici's need for very pure and precise vocals was ideal test pad and Bartlett is delighted with the results, "It's excellent - very easy to EQ and to achieve good coverage, and generally just a great line array."
He thinks the coherent 15 degree waveform per box is highly versatile and offers plenty of latitude for needing less boxes, and being able to split them by anything up to 14 degrees and still retain the waveform. This is particularly helpful in situations where avoidance of hitting a balcony/circle front is an issue, and is also great for maximizing good sightlines anywhere.
The Q enclosures also ground stack very well - a weak characteristic in some line arrays - and it tops the list in this context for Bartlett. The flying operation is simple. The Q system comes with its own proprietary brackets and requires only two components - a front hinge and a back plate - to connect the boxes and create the array. Bartlett thinks it's ideal for Amici, whose performance requirements are for a louder and more robust sound than traditional classical applications. Their fine, strong and classically trained voices, plus the Q system are yielding impressive results. Bartlett adds: "It's really exciting to use this system for the first time on such a show. Entec have done a great job generally and I'm really glad the new purchase was completed in time to take on the road." Bartlett also enthuses about the D12 amps: "They're fantastic, and the CPL function that allows tweaking of the mid range coupling is very useful".
Entec is also supplying a full monitor system to Amici, consisting of their own Accord 212 wedges, complete with d&b C690 side fills, C7 subs and a Soundcraft SM12 monitor desk, run by Julian Chabert. All five Amici vocalists use a Shure UHF radio system and Beta 87A hand-held mics.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
